Cuttack tea seller funding education for 70 children from slums, life changed after praises on 'Mann ki Baat'

In the recent episode, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the work of a tea seller in Cuttack whom he met on his visit to Odisha. "People have started touching my feet now," says tea seller teacher Prakash Rao whose life changed after he was praised on the monthly radio programme 'Mann ki baat'.

Cuttack Tea seller, D Prakash Rao |Photo Credit: ANI

Cuttack: In the recent 'Mann ki Baat' episode, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised a tea stall owner from Cuttack in Odisha. This unsung hero took the task of educating 70-75 children from the slums who are unable to afford education. Ever since his mention on 'Mann ki Baat', 60-year old D Prakash Rao claims that his life has changed drastically and people have started touching his feet.

Prakash Rao, who has been selling tea since the age of six, donates half of his income to run the school where he is a teacher. "I earn Rs 600 a day during off season and around Rs 700-800 when the season is on. So, money is not an issue for me. I just want to see these children become something in future," he said. He recalled the time when he was not able to complete his education due to financial difficulties in his family that refused to understand the importance of education.

 

"I don't want these children to lack behind in studies just because they don't have money. So I divide my time between school, tea shop and visiting patients at a hospital," he told ANI. The children didn't come at first but later started coming in after he offered them free biscuits and milk from his stall, he further said.

According to him, the 70-75 students at his school feel more comfortable there than sitting idle at home. He provides them with basic education up to Class III.

After that, he makes sure they enroll in a government school to continue further studies. Prakash Rao met PM Narendra Modi when he got a call from his office.

During the PM's visit to Cuttack, he met Rao for about 18 minutes. Fifteen-twenty children from Rao's school had also accompanied him, as per ANI.

"Modi ji asked me to sit next to him. He spent 18 minutes with us. It's a coincidence that on May 26, Modi Ji met us and the very next day he praised my efforts on 'Mann Ki Baat'," Rao recalled.