K. SATYA NARAYAN RAO: a Homage from the community of Persons with Disabilities & their well-wishers July 2019

K. SATYA NARAYAN RAO

Dr K Satyanarayan Rao was born in a noble and rich family on 9^th December 1919 at Gopalpur, Ganjam District. His parents taught him virtues and good manners from his childhood. He completed his secondary education and then successfully graduated as an MBBS from Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. After his study in the year 1946 he started his nursing home at Berhampur. As a doctor he was loved by all rich and poor people. His service towards society was at the lowest fee, so sick were anxious to receive his service. As a young doctor, he treated the sick with utmost care and sympathy.

One day while returning from a village after treating a sick, he came across an accident. As a result he injured seriously and lost his sense. Fortunately, a public bus was passing by, and the driver took him to the hospital. The doctor saved his life. This is the turning point in his life, from where he completely change his life style and served poor people without any fee.

In the year 1960 he became the Honorary Secretary of the IRCS (Indian Red Cross Society), Ganjam District Branch. Whenever any disaster and calamity took place, he reached the place with relief materials. He started the following institutions to serve more people,

In the year 1966 Red Cross Maternity Hospital for Women and children

In the year 1974 Red Cross School for blind

In the year 1979 Louis Braille Vocational Training Centre for the Sightless

In the year 1981 society for Disabled and Hellen Keller red Cross School for the Deaf

In the year 1986 Braille Press project

In the year 1998 Odisha Blind Foundation.

Beside the above, he initiated several other projects for the service of disabled persons by which many people got benefit. His reputation spread all over the state, country and abroad as a true server of Red Cross. The BBC also interviewed him several times for his success. From 1966-1984 he worked as the Honorary Superintendent of the Red Cross Maternity Hospital, and every year he had done about 1800-2000 free operations.

For his valuable contribution and service for the Red Cross, in the year 1984 the President of India honoured him with a certificate of merit and in 1988 with a Red Cross Gold Medal. Because of his true and selfless service towards the poor he was awarded several honours by Rotary International.

He was not only a friend of disabled and poor, but also a great lover of music, art and culture. The Tyagaraj Bhakti samiti, Berhampur was founded by him in 1984 which is functioning till today

Being a true friend of disabled, the poor and the needy people, he passed away on 18^th March 2011 at 10.30 am.