In a world where personal ambition often takes precedence, Bhanupriya Rao’s story shines like a beacon of hope. Following the tragic loss of her father to COVID, she stood at a crossroads, torn between chasing her dreams and honouring her father’s legacy. With a heart full of love and a spirit of selflessness, she chose the latter.
Meet the 27-year-old hotel management graduate who had the world at her feet. Fresh from her on-the-job training at the prestigious Fullerton Hotel Singapore, she had already notched up an impressive resume with stints in Malaysia and Delhi. But this go-getter wasn’t content with just any ordinary success. She had her sights set on working at an embassy and was even learning Spanish to make her dream a reality.
But life had other plans. When her father D Prakash Rao, who used to run a school for unprivileged children at a slum at Buxi Bazaar in Cuttack since 2000, suffered a brain stroke, she put her ambitions on hold and flew back home to be by his side. Her father who had won the coveted Padma Shri award for changing the lives of scores of slum children by providing them with free education, in 2019 was now in need of her care and support. Later her father died of COVID-19 in the year 2021.
At a time when children become so selfish when it comes to their careers, Bhanupriya is an exception. She sacrificed her dream and ambition for the sake of her father. She decided to run her father’s school and provide quality education to unprivileged children. Her father’s dream became her dream. Her father’s school ‘Asha O Ashwasana’ became her school. And she has been proudly carrying forward her father’s legacy since 2021 without an iota of guilt and repentance. This was no ordinary inheritance; it was a sacred trust, a testament to her father’s unwavering commitment to empowering the underprivileged.
Ommcom News had the privilege of sitting down with Bhanupriya Rao, the 27-year-old hotel management graduate who put her dreams on hold to carry forward her father’s legacy. As we spoke, it became clear that her decision to take the reins of her father’s school was not just a gesture of filial duty, but a testament to her unwavering commitment to empowering the underprivileged.
With unwavering dedication, Bhanupriya has been proudly carrying forward her father’s vision, breathing life into his dream. Her story is a powerful reminder that true greatness lies not in personal achievement, but in the positive impact we have on the lives of others. In a world that often celebrates individual success, Bhanupriya’s selfless sacrifice stands as a shining example of the transformative power of love and devotion towards her father and society.
It is pertinent to note that her father Prakash Rao, a tea-seller in Cuttack, carved a niche for himself by changing the lives of scores of slum children by providing them with free education. He was a beacon of hope for slum children. He used to donate half of his income towards the running of the school. Bright in academics, and adept at football, Prakash wanted to become a doctor but ended up becoming a chaiwala. He knew what it was like to not have any opportunities. And he did not want these kids to have the same fate. He started the ‘Asha O Ashwasana’ school in 2000. Rao decided to run a school after he saw the kids in his neighbourhood falling for petty crimes or becoming alcoholics. For every cup of tea sold at his stall, he used half the amount towards the education and health of the slum kids. He first operated from his two-room thatched house, with four children, where he provided them with food and education, completely free of cost. He used to educate 70 slum children starting from nursery to class IV. In 2019, he was awarded Padma Shri for his efforts to boost affordable education. Prakash Rao proved that even the humblest of beginnings can give rise to an extraordinary legacy, inspiring generations to come. And today his daughter Bhanupriya is carrying forward her father’s legacy with pride.
Recalling her past, Bhanupriya said, “With a management degree from IHM Bhubaneswar and training from one of Singapore’s finest hotels, I was determined to do something big. My six-month stint in Malaysia and subsequent job in Delhi only added to my impressive credentials. I had a thirst for adventure, a passion for learning, and a desire to make a mark on the world. However, my father’s death changed everything. With a heart full of courage and resilience, I was standing at the threshold of my dreams and my father’s enduring legacy. I realized that I could not be selfish because I knew that my father’s legacy needed some able shoulder so that it could be carried forward in a befitting manner. I chose to give wings to my father’s dreams.”
She continued: “I was always driven to succeed, to make a name for myself. But when my father passed away, I realized that there was more to life than just personal achievement. I saw the impact he had on the lives of countless slum children, and I knew I had to continue his work”
Bhanupriya’s mission is clear: to make education accessible to every slum child. “If they can’t come to school, we’ll bring school to them,” she asserts.
“To achieve this, our teachers surveyed to identify students deprived of education and launched an innovative auto-rickshaw service to transport them to and from school. Additionally, we provide mid-day meals at our own expense. To sustain our efforts, I do freelancing and donate my earnings to the school, ensuring that no child is left behind in their educational journey”, she signed off.
Like a star, Bhanupriya’s dedication and devotion will forever inspire youngsters to embrace the beauty of selflessness and the boundless potential of the human heart. As her story unfolds, her legacy will shine brighter still, a beacon of hope and a reminder that our choices can change the world.
By Rashmi Rekha Das
