Dr.P.V.Sudhakar became Principal on 1st March,2017 and took over the responsibilities as Convenor for the next five years. He liasoned with state government through local government, AMCOSA, AMCANA and AMCCAB committee.

It was estimated that in the available site, construction of 18,342 square meters in entire building. It was necessary to construct four floors and the cost of construction would be Rs 40,79,76,250.00 (Forty crores seventy-nine lakhs seventy-six thousand two hundred and fifty rupees). Role of and promises by alumni associations: the then President of AMCANA, Dr. Prasad Chalasani, emailed a formal pledge to contribute the equivalent of USD 1million from AMCANA on 11-Jan-2017. AMCOSA also submitted a pledge on 18-Jan-2017 to contribute an equal amount in rupees. This was subsequently revised to increase the contribution to the equivalent of USD 1.5 million each, on 2- Aug-2017.

Dr. T. Radha and Dr. Prasad Chalasani met the Health Minister Sri Kamaneni Srinivas and the Health Secretary Smt Poonam Malakondayya and requested for the CAB project approval. Dr. Ravi Raju took up the responsibility and pursued the Principal Health Secretary and Minister of Health and Family Welfare with a request to provide a matching grant of Rs 25 crores. He met the Chief Minister along with Dr. T. Radha, Dr. E Pedaveerraju, Dr. Seetaramyya Nagula (AMCANA). Dr. Ravi Raju convinced Chief Minister about the commitment of the alumni. Consequently, a government order was issued on September 12, 2017 (G.O.RT.No.512 HM&FW). In February 2018, Government of AP handed over construction to APMSIDC and work con-tract was awarded to Architectural and Engineering Consultancy services at a fee of 0.51%. Subsequently, a G.O. was issued again at the persuasion of Dr. T. Ravi Raju on February 6, 2019, with administrative sanction Rs 40 crores (G.O. RT.NO.76, Contribution of Rs 25 crores by the Government and 15 crores from AMCOSA and AMCANA).

The G.O paved the way for the crucial Memorandum of understanding between the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Medical College and the CAB Committee. This memorandum of understanding was executed on the 15th of February, 2019 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Between:

1. Government of Andhra Pradesh. represented by Director of Medical Education, AP, Vijayawada (Hereinafter referred to as the “GOVERNMENT OF A.P.”)
2. ANDHRA MEDICAMCOLLEGE, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh represented by its Principal (Hereinafter referred to as Andhra Medical College)
3. Andhra Medical College Centenary Academic Block Committee (Here in after referred to as AMC CAB Committee) represented by its Chairman

The Government of Andhra Pradesh, as the owner of Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam has a vested public interest in providing excellent medical education to the students at this college, especially in the realm of Modern Medical care and with the need for Quick addition of QUALITY medical education as per the requirements of Medical Council of India. AMC CAB Committee was formed for the purpose by old students of Andhra Medical College living in India (AMCOSA) and those in USA (AMCANA) with the idea of providing state of the art facilities in their alma mater as AMC is heading for centenary celebrations in 2022-2023.

The foundation stone was laid by Dr.Kamineni Srinivas, Hon’ble Minister for Heath and Family Welfare, Govt. Of Andhra Pradesh on 25-02-2018. Dr.C.Sadasivarao one of the senior most practitioners of Vizag pledged a contribution of Rs.3 crores on the same day.

While the fund raising was in full swing, the COVID 19 pandemic struck the world in 2020 and construction could not be started. In addition, AP state government decided to take up major renovation of teaching hospitals under ‘Nadu-Nedu’ scheme and with the earlier requirements of the college such as lecture halls would be incorporated in the plans of the Government. Hence, the Government would no longer provide the matching grant of Rs 25 crores.

CAB committee met once more to decide the course of action. By that time Dr. Prasad Chalasani handed over the reins of AMCANA to another benevolent alumnus, Dr. Nagendra Myneni. Dr. Prasad Chalasani was firm in his conviction that alumni must construct a commemorative building for the centenary and alumni could do it by downsizing the building, and a resultant lower budget. CAB committee unanimously agreed and re-solved that:

1. The ‘Centenary Alumni Building will be constructed by the CAB Committee with contributions from alumni alone.
2. The project will include the auditorium, halls of fame and history, a student academic center and a student activity center.
3. The construction will be entrusted to a reputed builder selected by the committee.
4. Government must be pursuaded to grant permission to construct the building in the previously selected site. Dr Ravi Raju met with the Chief Minister of A.P. Sri. Jaganmohan Reddy and the Health Secretary to update them of the new plans. Dr. P.V. Sudhakar proceeded with e-office communication on October 9,2021 with the Principal Secretary of Health, through the District Collector for the necessary permission. The District Collector and the Joint Collector inspected the site, studied the project, framed the guidelines and forwarded the same to the Principal Health Secretary on 12/11/2021 for approval.

The Culmination:

It is in the month of February 2022 again, the final G.O was issued by Sri M.T. Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary of Health to the Government (G.O. No 126) awarding permission to the CAB committee ‘considering the request of Chairperson Dr. Ravi Raju to accord the permission to construct the commemorative block and alumni are eager to repay their bountiful mother for constructing the building in the selected site in place of the dilapidated auditorium within the guidelines framed by the District Collector as per suggestions of Principal, Dr.P.V.Sudhakar
The committee was jubilant and sprang into action. A series of meetings, both physical and virtual, were held to select the builder, for fundraising, and for the design of the building.

Everyone was aware of the mammoth nature of the task given the short time frame and lofty target of completing the interior and exterior of the building by 2023. The committee went ahead with determination and firm resolve. New members were added to the committee from senior alumni in India and AMCANA.

Several construction agencies and builders in the state were considered and finally Shri. M.V.V. Satyanarayana of MVV Builders was chosen. He is an experienced builder of high-rise buildings and a respected Member of Parliament, Government of India. Preliminary drawings of building plans were made by the architect with building area of approximately 50,000 sft. The committee discussed with the builder entered into a preliminary agreement with an undertaking that final agreement will be executed after detailed documentation of contract.

Naming Opportunities:

The committee realized that donors will come forward if their donation is recognized by naming the areas of building after them and the prominence of the area will be based on the amount of donation. CAB committee formed a sub committee for naming opportunities. Dr. Nagula Seetaramayya is the chair and Radha, Butchiraju, Subbarao Nagendra Myneni are the members of the committee. They studied the building plans and created various opportunities.

This strategy worked out very well and donations from magnanimous donors, individuals, and batches started to pour in. AMCANA, under the leadership of Dr. Prasad Chalasani, Dr. Nagendra Myneni, Dr. Nagula Seetaramayya, motivated U.S. alumni and their batchmates in India. As a result their own batches 1966 batch and 1981 batch raised around Rs. 3 crores for first and third floors in East Block and 1986 batch along with 1987 for the Hall of History. All batches from the 1950s to 2000s are donated generously.

Several alumni started donating to the project in 2022 to the local CAB account in the Union Bank at KGH. Alumni and the committee felt it would be appropriate if the donations were tax exempt. Neither AMCOSA nor CAB committee had the provision of IT exemption at that time. Therefore, formation of an Alumni Trust with IT exemptions became important for the CAB project as well as future longterm charitable contributions to Andhra Medical College and medical education and research in general. Hence AMC Alumni Trust was registered on15/10/2022 and 12A and 80G were obtained with efficient guidance of the auditors. The Trust founder President is Dr. Ravi Raju. Dr. R. Sasiprabha, Dr G. Santarao, Dr E. Pedaveerraju, Dr N. Subbarao, Dr SKE Apparao, and Dr S. Narasinga Rao ( Naveen) are trustees. The Alumni Trust approved contribution to CAB project as its first charitable activity. This paved a smoother way for alumni donations. Since March 2023, donations have been deposited in to this new trust account.

Since its inception in 2017, the initial cost estimate of the project has increased as years have gone by. The civil structure interiors, exterior and infrastructure would be Rs. 40 crores and the committee desires to maintain a corpus fund o Rs.10 crores for maintenance. Despite, handing over the building to the college and the government, the committee would like to support the long term maintenance of the building and accordingly a committee has been formed to look after the day to day activities of the Monument.

The perseverance of AMCANA especially Dr. Prasad Chalasani, cool composure of committee Chair Dr. T. Ravi Raju, diligent optimism of Dr. E. Pedaveerraju, coordination by Dr. Radha, Dr. P.V. Sudhakar, Dr. Naveen, Dr. Nagula Seetaramayya, and the support and unity of the entire committee and each member has brought the dream project to completion. The commemorative pylon was inaugurated by the hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankad on 27-10-2023, the first day of Centenary Celebrations. The Centenary Alumni Building was inaugurated on 26-04-2025 by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu Garu who appreciated the noble deeds of alumni. The alumni-donors’ generosity is extraordinary and commendable. Without them, the project would not have been realized. The efforts to build this wonderful facility are fruitful and an inspiration to future generations. It is the hope of alumni that, for future students, walking through the Hall of Legends would be a source of inspiration for their journey in medicine. As they walk through the Hall of History, it would leave an indelible impression on the alma mater that contributed to their future course. The Alumni of AMC, humbly presented AMC CAB as their gift to the alma mater and to the future students.