Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat Sunday praised Cuttack’s tea vendor D Prakash Rao saying he is an inspiration for the country.
Addressing the 44th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi, who himself is said to have sold tea at a railway station in Gujarat when he was younger, said, “There are some people who bring about a change through their hard work and dedication. they make it a reality.”
Such is the story of Rao, living in the slums of Cuttack, who gave up his everything to make the dreams of others a reality, he said, adding “Just yesterday I’ve had the good fortune of meeting Rao.”
“Rao has been a tea vendor in the city of Cuttack for the past five decades. A meagre tea vendor, but today you will be surprised to know that the lives of more than 70 children are being illuminated through education due to his efforts,” Modi said.
Stating Rao has opened a school named Asha Ashvaasan, spending 50 per cent of his income for children living in slums and hutments, the Prime Minister said, “He ensures education, health and meals for all the children going to the school. I congratulate Rao for his hard work, his persistence and for providing a new direction to the lives of those poor children attending his school.”
Modi further said that the tea vendor had banished the darkness from their (children) lives.
“Who amongst us does not know the Vedic shloka ‘Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya’! However, it has been put into practice by Rao. His life is an inspiration to us, our society and the entire country,” the PM stated.
Expressing his happiness, Rao said, “I am thrilled with the gesture by our PM and so are my students. The Prime Minister met us during his Cuttack visit yesterday and spent around 20 minutes with us. He also said that he wants to have Daalma with us.”
Rao left his studies midway in Class 11 due to some family problem, but he understood the importance of education. For that he has been running a primary school.
He has his tea stall at Buxi Bazar. At present, around 70 students are studying in Rao’s school and are provided with an afternoon meal along with other proper health facilities.