Padma Shri recipient gets back to teaching

BHUBANESWAR: Having recovered from a serious illness, Padma Shri recipient and tea-stall owner D Prakash Rao (61) of Cuttack is back to doing what he does best - teaching.
Rao had suffered a brain stroke on August 16 and was admitted in SCB Medical College and Hospital. He was discharged on August 26, and rejoined his school - Asha Ashvaasana - soon after.
The primary school that he set up near his home has around 130 children, all from the nearby slums. "I cannot sit at home. I love the children at the school and teaching them. I get peace after meeting them. Our school has kids from classes I to IV. I admit students to government schools for further study," said Rao, adding that his interaction with the students made him happy and energetic.
The tea seller was inspired to start a school for poor children as he could not complete his matriculation because of financial constraints. "I worked in my father's tea stall at Buxi Bazaar to support my family. I could not complete my education and spent all my life selling tea, so I thought of starting a school in 2000," he added.
Rao provides rice and dalma to the children for lunch. The school starts at 7 am and continues till 12.30 pm every working day. Children get a free education; Rao spends 50 per cent of his income (between 18,000 and Rs 20,000) on this effort.
Namita Ghose, a teacher of the school, said Rao often talked about the problems of the students. A Rahul, a Class IV student, added, "He tells us stories and sings songs."