THE PROMOTING BODY
Introduction to its Genesis including its Registration Status
The V.N.Gangadhara Panicker Memorial Trust was formed with the objective of promoting quality education in Kerala as a fitting tribute to Sri.V.N.Gangadhara Panicker, an eminent educationalist and social figure.
He was a leading businessman and philanthropist of his time as was renowned for his social work aimed at developing the economically weaker sections of the society. He turned his attention to education as a vehicle to improve the lot of the down trodden. With this objective in mind, he established the first school in Anad, a rural village near Nedumangad in Thirurvananthaputam District of Kerala state. The school was a model institution of learning and though located in a backward area, was well known for its quality of education and infrastructure like a well stocked library and an auditorium with a capacity exceeding 1000 persons. The school thus reached out to the poor, giving the rural masses a means to provide valuable education for their children with the meager resources at their disposal. The fruit of his labour is the goodwill of persons in different walks of life who owe their success in life to this school. The school stands today, as a glowing tribute to Sri. Gangadharan Panicker's vision.
This trust bearing his name was formed by a group of eminent persons to carry forward the work of his visionary by carrying out philanthropic activities in various fields including education.
The VNGPM Trust established the Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology for imparting quality Professional education to students from rural areas (the college itself is situated in a rural area), where agriculture is the Predominant vocation.
The VNGPM Trust was formally registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act, 1952.
The Trust is registered under 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Details of its Promoters including their Background
The Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology is promoted by the V.N.Gangadhara Panicker Memorial Trust, the Executive Trustee is Sri.G.Mohandas, trustees are Sri.J.Alexander, IAS (Rtd.) and Sri.A:V.Venkatachalam, IPS (Rtd.), the secretary is Smt.Rani Mohandas and the treasurer is Sri.Krishna Mohan.
Sri.G.Mohandas is a well known industrialist in Kerala, having interests in the hospitality, pharmaceuticals, retail, entertainment and plantation sectors in Kerala, Tamilnadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He is one of the founder members of the CTMA Educational Trust, Chennai and has contributed substantially for establishing the CTM College of Arts and Science, Chennai. The college is affiliated to the Madras University and situated at Kuthambakkam conducts graduate courses in BA, B.Com, BBA, B.Sc. (Computer Science), B.Sc. (Mathematics), B.Sc. (Electronics) and B.Sc. (Biochemistry) among other courses.
Sri.J.Alexander, IAS, (Rtd.), retired from Government service in 1996 as the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka. During his long and distinguished career as a civil servant, he has occupied many important positions like Registrar (Evaluation), University of Mysore and CEO, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Commissioner of the Bangalore city corporation and Chairman of various statutory bodies and corporation including and Karnataka State Housing Board, Karnataka State Slum Clearance Board, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Karnataka State Finance Corporation and Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Sri.A V Venkatachalam, IPS (Rtd.) held various important posts in Government, including that of DGP, Kerala State, CMD, Kerala State Industrial Enterprises and Managing Director, Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. and Chairman of various enterprises like the Kerala Soaps and Oils Ltd., the Kerala State Detergents and Chemicals Ltd. the Kera1a State Salicylates and Chemicals Ltd., the Kerala Ceramics Ltd. and the Travancore Plywood Industries Ltd.
Smt.Rani Mohandas is a member of the Board of Directors of various companies in the Pharmaceutical and Hospitality sectors. She is the daughter of late Sri.Jaganatha Panicker, an eminent educationalist, economist, publisher and social leader. He had served as principal of various colleges, including the Sree Narayana College, Thiruvananthapuram, apart from being the founder editor of the vernacular daily, the "Eenadu" (means ‘This Country').
Sri.Krishna Mohan is a professional lawyer, having taken his degree from the prestigious Ambedkar Law College, Chennai.
