Devarapalli Prakash Rao, Padmashri awardee, 2019

“ I was a very bright student and had even got a scholarship in fifth grade, but due to our financial conditions, my father handed me a tea kettle and two glasses and showed me the path to sell tea and earn a living out of it. With a heavy heart, I obediently gave up on my dreams and walked on the path chosen by my father. It has been 56 years ever since and I’m still selling tea in that very kettle. Now, I’m not only a tea seller but a teacher for my school children, doctor for my underprivileged neighbours and a proud father of three daughters.
Whatever I am, it’s because of my children here. I started imparting education to five at first and now here I’m with 200+ children. Everyone has the right to dream, but to fulfil them we need to be educated.
Education has to be bought nowadays. It has become the privilege of rich people; so to change this I provide education, food, values, morals and ettiquettes to the underprivileged children without taking anything in return. I feel lucky that God has chosen me to serve his children so that they have a secured future. If a single member of a family is educated, generations of that family can evolve as successful and independent beings.

                                           

Everyday from 7:00A.M. to 11:00A.M. I sit in my small school and enjoy teaching the children. This initiative of mine has brought about a great difference in the children as well as in their families. Initially, the main motive of the parents to send their children was that they could have atleast one meal a day. However, on seeing the changes their children underwent, their perspective about education changed and so did their behaviour towards their kids. An alcoholic father who least bothered about his child, has now started caring for his child’s education. Children who used to spend their days picking domestic refuse, have now started picking up sentences, isn’t that wonderful?

                                     

 

                                                   

 

 Coming back to me, I’m an illiterate but I can speak 9 different languages. I have also given TED Talks, which you can find on Youtube.
My children are no less than the privileged children and I take so much pride in them. 

Every morning my children come to school in our school vehicle, learn how to read, write and sing in unison with the gurumas(teachers) and have delicious bhaata-dalma as lunch before dispersal. Cleanliness is a priority in our school; we make children wash their hands with sanitized water so that my little future scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs never fall ill .

A month ago I had a brain stroke and have incurred a little paralysis but of course that doesn’t stop me from teaching and spending time with my children. Sitting on this chair and looking at the faces of my joyful, smart children heals me more than medication will ever do ."
- Devarapalli Prakash Rao

Padmashri awardee, 2019