Cuttack: D Prakash Rao, a Cuttack-based tea seller, who was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2019, has passed away in Odisha's Cuttack on Wednesday. According to the reports, he was admitted to SCB hospital after being infected with Coronavirus for the last 20 days. The social worker dies following a brain stroke, informed family sources.
Rao, was lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 44th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' for nurturing the lives of 70-75 slum children in his school.
Starting at the mere age of 6, Rao had been selling tea for the past 54 years. Due to financial problems, he was not able to continue studies after class five despite getting a distinction.
However, Rao accepted this as a challenge and opened a school named 'Asha Ashvaasan', spending 50 per cent of his income for children living in slums and hutments.
