Kakinada, Oct 25th: The Kakinada Brahmo Samaj, P.R. College Old Students’ Association and INTACH will be celebrating the centenary of Sri Rajah Venkata Mahipati Gangadhara Rama Rao Orphanage, which is main campus of the present Rangaraya Medical College (RMC), on November 13. The two palatial buildings of the RMC were constructed by the Rajah of Pithapuram to house the orphanage, which got donations from Sri Gangadhara Rama Rao son of Sri Rajah Venkata Mahipati Surya Rao.

The orphanage gave shelter to many deserving children, who grew up in the affectionate care of the Rajah and his family. Many inmates of the orphanage later on occupied high positions, some of them were IAS officers. The Rajah was maintaining the institution with the resources at his command then. During his last days, which almost coincided with abolition of the Princely States and Zamindaris, the orphanage was taken over by the Government.

Subsequently, a medical college was set up on the premises of the orphanage which was shifted to a measly structure on the other side of the road. The orphanage is one of the three greatest landmarks in Kakinada, which were invaluable contributions of the Rajah of Pithapuram. The Brahmopasana Mandir and P.R. College are the other two gifts to people of this port city.

From: http://www.inkakinada.com/news/headline/centenary-celebrations-of-orphanage