BHUBANESWAR: In his 100th episode of "Mann Ki Baat" radio programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered Cuttack’s famous tea seller turned social worker D Prakash Rao for his contribution to the society.
"In 'Mann Ki Baat', we have highlighted the efforts of many such people, who are selflessly working for education. You may remember, once we discussed about Late D Prakash Rao, a tea vendor in Odisha, who was engaged in the mission of teaching poor children," said Modi in his special episode of radio address.
Rao, a Padma Shri award winner, had died of brain stroke and post Covid-19 complications on January 13, 2021. He was running a primary school ‘Asha Ashvaasana’ in Cuttack for slum children from Class I to Class IV.
On May 27, 2018, Prime Minister Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme had showered praises on Rao for his noble deed of educating poor slum kids of his locality. Rao along with his kids had met Modi during a public meeting held at Cuttack in May 2018.
Rao was also a regular blood donor. He had donated blood for more than 200 times. After death of Rao, his daughter Bhanupriya is running the school now.
Many inspirational personalities of Odisha, about whom the PM has spoken in different ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episodes, attended the live screening of the 100th episode of this radio programme organised at Raj Bhavan here on Sunday.
Governor Ganeshi Lal addressed the congregation of these people from various fields, Padma awardees, intellectuals, scribes and officials. He also interacted with the personalities mentioned by the PM on different Mann Ki Baat programmes.
Some of these personalities including Kuni Dehury, Amaresh Samanta, Rahul Maharana and Bijay Kumar Kabi spoke in the event. A photo exhibition on the radio programme was inaugurated by the governor.
Similarly, BJP organised live listening of this programme at most of the booths across the state. Booth level committees of the party conducted the programme.
Baijayant Panda, BJP national vice-president, who attended a Mann Ki Baat programme in Kendrapada district said PM’s Mann Ki Baat is a lot more than just a radio revolution. “The monthly radio programme not only celebrates positivity, but also motivates people to have courage to make a difference,” he added.
