D. Prakash Rao was a tea vendor in Cuttack, Odisha. Rao’s life proved that kindness can be bigger than money. For over 50 years, he has sold tea in a small stall. What made Rao the hero? He used half of his everyday earnings to educate poor children living in the slums. For hundreds of kids who otherwise would never have attended school, this gentle, modest man became a hero.
His Early Life
Prakash Rao grew up in a modest family. His father was an Army man, and his mother was a homemaker. Life was simple for Rao, but he considered education to be the most critical aspect of life. Unfortunately, he had to quit his studies due to his family’s financial struggles. This personal loss stayed with him for years. When Rao opened his tea stall in Buxi Bazaar, Cuttack, he took an oath to help poor kids finish the schooling that he couldn’t. Despite working long hours, frequently from 4 AM to 10 PM, he never lost sight of this objective.
“My father was a World War II veteran. After the war ended, he returned to Cuttack and started a tea stall to eke out a living. Due to financial problems, I also joined my father and started helping him. In the process, I could not complete my matriculation,” Rao told the Times of India.
Asha O Ashwasana — A School of Hope
In 2000, Rao started a small school called Asha O Ashwasana, which means “Hope and Assurance.” The school operated within his small house. Every day, after working in his tea stall, he would teach children from the nearby slums. Most of the kids’ parents were daily wage workers who couldn’t afford to send their kids to school. Apart from teaching them basic subjects like math, reading, and writing, Rao also helped them with food, uniforms, and books.
He used 50% of his earnings from the tea stall to fund everything. On average, about 70–80 children studied there at any time. Once they completed Class III, he helped them get into government schools so they could continue their education.
“Before they enroll in any government school, I usually teach foundation courses to the kids, which helps them grasp what is being taught easily,” he explains.
More Than Teaching: A Lifeline for Many
Rao’s kindness went far beyond education. He often visited patients at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, providing them with tea, cookies, and, if possible, financial support. He knew the pain of illness, having himself survived a spinal tumor. Over his lifetime, he donated blood more than 200 times, saving many lives. He believed that helping others was not about wealth, but about willingness.
Recognition and Lasting Impact
Rao’s work stayed behind the curtains for many years. However, in 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned him on the radio show Mann Ki Baat, praising his dedication to education and service. Rao received the media exposure he deserved. His story soon spread across India. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor. Even after all the fame and recognition, Rao continued living his life simply—running his tea stall and teaching children as always.
“I was delighted when PM Saheb mentioned me on the radio. Modiji praising me is something I never would have imagined as a common tea vendor. He had invited my school’s students and me to his public gathering at Cuttack’s Baliyatra Ground. He inquired about my school like a family member throughout our eighteen-minute meeting. He appeared tense before the meeting, but after meeting all of us, he appeared relaxed,” Rao remarked.
A Legacy of Love and Sacrifice
D. Prakash Rao passed away in January 2021 at the age of 63. His school is now taken care of by his daughter. His students remember him as both a teacher and a father figure who offered them hope and dignity. Rao’s life is a reminder that even small acts of love and kindness can change the world.
Rao himself once said in an interview, “I do not want to be rich in money; I want to be rich in love and blessings.”
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