This Padma Shri Awardee’s Daughter Is Fulfilling Her Father’s Mission Of Uplifting Slum Kids In Odisha

‘Rao Sir’ is everyone’s favourite. Even over two years after his death, D Prakash Rao is spoken about very highly not just by his students, but people across the country. Those who have had the privilege of meeting him never forget his selflessness, and those who’ve read stories about him or watched his TED talks are inspired by his dedication. Prakash Rao left a lasting impression, especially on young minds from the slums of Odisha whom he dedicated his life to uplifting.

“Papa used to tell all his students that there’s no shortcut to hard work and that their destiny was in their hands. He would say, people can take everything away from you, but not your education, or your knowledge. And it is this teaching that has changed the lives of so many children and given them a future away from poverty, abuse and addiction,” says Priya Rao, Prakash Rao’s daughter who now carries on his legacy with the same dedication, love and kindness.

However, the passing of Prakash Rao has not only left a gaping hole in the hearts of everyone at the school but has also thrown countless challenges their way. Priya is struggling to make ends meet and give these children the education they deserve.

He Used Half The Money He Made From Selling Tea To Educate Children

Asha O Ashwasana (meaning hope and consolation) was started in 2000 by Prakash Rao in his small mud hut in Cuttack, Odisha. A tea seller, Prakash would use half the money he made to educate these children. Although he had little to call his own, he had a big heart and watching children suffer without education was heartbreaking for him.

“He was deprived of a higher education, and he didn’t want others to go through that. At that time Papa saw that so many children were addicted to substances like alcohol and even Fevicol, and had not been enrolled in school even though they were 10 years or above… their parents were too poor and had to work day and night to survive. But Papa patiently spoke to the parents, made them understand the importance of a good education and got them enrolled at Asha O Ashwasana.”

Every year, around 70-100 children are admitted to Asha O Ashwasana, a majority of whom were children of rickshaw pullers, daily wage earners from nearby slums. These children had spent their formative years suffering through abuse, poverty, hunger and helplessness, and at this school, they found hope once again. Here they’re given everything for free - food, books, uniforms, stationery and more. They currently have 80 children that they support.

“So many children have completed their undergraduate studies and gone to get jobs after leaving our school. This is what Papa always wanted - for them to be able to dream and build a better life for themselves. They have unlimited potential.”

Priya visits nearby villages and conducts surveys herself before enrolling students. Just like her father, she encourages parents to send their kids to school and gives these children a second chance at a childhood where they’re not deprived of anything.

However, His Daughter Is Now Struggling To Carry On His Noble Mission Without Support

“When Papa was alive, everyone knew him. He was awarded the Padma Shri and many more people became aware of his work. So the support he received was tremendous. Now, I’m struggling to get even the basic groceries. People don’t know me as well and are hesitant to support our school. My mother and I do what we can to run the school, but food, uniforms, books, electricity bill and more cost us around 65,000 to 70,000 every month. Which is beyond our means.”

Priya now needs your help to continue to work towards her father’s mission of giving slum children in Odisha a brighter future. But she can’t do it alone. She needs your support to get groceries, stationery materials, school bags, school shoes and more so that the 80+ children at Asha O Ashwasana are given the chance they deserve.

Help this daughter carry on her tea-seller father's noble service and empower countless children from the slums.

About the NGO:

D. Prakash Rao, the founder of Asha O Ashwasana school, started this institution after seeing young children in local slums being deprived of education and indulging in alcohol consumption and petty crimes. He arranged for quality and value-based education to children from first to third grade as these are the formative years.  Currently, there are 80 students studying here. He was awarded the Annie Besant Award in 2015, Human Rights Award in 2016 and the Padma Shri in 2019. Prakash Rao was a tea seller who used half his earnings to educate and uplift countless children. Since his death in 2021, his daughter Priya Rao carries on his legacy with the same dedication, love and kindness.