Radha Krishna Rao: An exemplary teacher bids adieu
It’s hard to believe that Radha Krishna Rao, my former teacher at Badriya PU College, is no more. Just a few weeks ago, during a phone conversation, he had said warmly, “Make sure you drop by the next time you’re in town.” That call must have been my first conversation with him since I left PU college, likely in the early 1990s. Despite the long gap, we spoke with the comfort and familiarity of close friends. I even pulled his leg a bit - calling him out for being the kind of teacher who could control an entire class with just a stern look.
Late Rao dedicated most, if not all, of his professional life to teaching accountancy at Badriya College, shaping it into an institution of academic repute. He had a unique style - he could assess students’ understanding quickly and explain even complex concepts in simple, relatable terms. Teaching at Badriya wasn’t easy either; the college was often seen as a last resort for students who couldn't get seats elsewhere. Yet, Rao sir and his colleagues patiently guided these students, year after year, delivering impressive academic results.
Thousands of students who learned accountancy from him have gone on to build successful careers in India and abroad. Particularly in the coastal Karnataka Muslim community, which has seen a remarkable educational surge in recent decades, the role of selfless teachers like Rao sir cannot be overstated. With his talent and credentials, he could easily have joined any elite institution. But he chose instead to dedicate his life to shaping the future of a community historically marginalised in terms of education, economy and opportunity. That is why the Muslim community in the region owes him a deep debt of gratitude.
Just last month, in what now feels like a symbol of his lasting commitment to education, Rao Sir visited the new NEET coaching facility being launched by Shepherd Education Trust in partnership with Bidar Shaheen, right here in Mangaluru. A friend had shared a photo of that visit in a group of Badria alumni, and thanks to that, I ended up having an unexpected chat with sir. He sounded tired. “What can I say, my friend? I’ve crossed 65. I have BP, diabetes... all of it. The kids are all away. We’ve sold our house in Mangalore and moved to Udupi. It’s just me and my wife now,” he said. There was a quiet ache in his voice. Trying to lighten the moment, I joked, “Oh come on, Sir! You sound just fine. Still young! Go enjoy a second honeymoon!”
That conversation left me determined to meet him during my next visit home. But tragically, just a week later, I received a forwarded message: “Rao sir’s in the ICU at TMA Pai Hospital, on a ventilator.” And within days, he left this world - leaving behind not only a grieving family, but thousands of students who owe their foundations to him.
It gives me some comfort that, even after all these years, I got the chance to speak to Rao sir again - if only over the phone. But the regret of not meeting him in person will stay with me for a long time.
In his passing, Badriya College has lost one more link in its chain of idealistic, committed educators. Among them, Rao sir stood out - not just as an excellent teacher, but as one of the foundational figures who helped build the institution’s reputation, especially during the 1980s under the visionary leadership of Prof Abdul Qadir.
It’s only fitting that the college's current management and alumni community consider establishing a lasting memorial for Radha Krishna Rao on campus - so future generations remember and honour the man who gave so much, so quietly, for their success.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Four held for Rs 33 lakh online investment fraud; interstate racket busted
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has busted an interstate cyber fraud syndicate involved in an online investment scam and arrested four persons, an official said on Saturday.
A crime branch team arrested the accused in a case where a victim was allegedly cheated of Rs 33.83 lakh on the pretext of lucrative returns through online trading platforms.
“Police said the accused lured victims with promises of high returns and later coerced them into depositing more money on the pretext of unlocking or withdrawing earlier investments,” the officer said.
Police said the racket operated across several states, including Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan, and used a network of mule bank accounts to route and layer the defrauded money to conceal its origin.
“During the investigation, the cheated amount was traced to 15 bank accounts. Thirteen of these accounts were registered outside Delhi, indicating the organised and interstate nature of the syndicate,” said the police officer.
The accused have been identified as Mohammad Khalid (26) and Atiur Rahman (23), both residents of Delhi, Ramandeep Singh (29) from Punjab, and Tanish alias Heera Ram (27) from Rajasthan.
According to the police, Khalid was arrested on March 15 and allegedly disclosed that he gave his bank account details and SIM card to a co-accused for a commission.
Rahman, who was already lodged in a jail in Haryana in a similar case, was later formally arrested. Ramandeep Singh was arrested on April 6 and allegedly admitted to sharing his account credentials for monetary gain.
Tanish was apprehended from Rajasthan on April 9 for facilitating the use of such accounts in the fraud network.
During the probe, officers analysed over 100 call detail records, IMEI data and transaction-related digital evidence to track the accused and establish the money trail.
Three mobile phones and SIM cards used in the crime have been recovered.
Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate and trace additional financial linkages, the police said.
