Padma Shri D Prakash Rao, popularly known as Chaiwala guru recently passed away at SCB Hospital, aged 63 years due to brain stroke.
D Prakash Rao was forced to quit school when he was in Class 10.
He could not complete his studies, which killed him from inside.
So, he decided to do something for the kids who were not able to afford their education.
He was just 6 years old, when he started his profession as a tea seller at his locality.
He inherited his father’s tea stall at Cuttack’s Buxi Bazar area.
He shot to fame after he set up a school for slum children.
The name of the school was ‘Asha Ashvaasan’ where 70 children from slums got an education.
The school was set up in 2000 in Buxi Bazar area of Cuttack city.
Mr. Rao donated 50% of his income to the school to fund their education.
All the children who studied here did not have to pay a penny.
He was a visionary and he rightly saw education as a vital tool in empowering the future generation.
Right now, many of his students have completed school and are pursuing higher degrees in colleges.
Some students have already established their careers in different fields.
It was in 2019 that he came to the limelight and was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award.
He was one of the three personalities to receive the award that year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recognized his work in one of the “Mann ki Baat” episodes, where he praised Mr. Rao for his great initiative.
He not only taught these small kids but was a well-known blood donor.
Besides, he was also able to speak many languages like Telugu, Hindi, Odia, English, etc.
He has worked for more than 50 years in the good interest of children, which reflects in his work and achievements.
