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.
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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta accuses Mamata Banerjee of stalling SIR; TMC hits back
Kolkata (PTI): Alleging that her West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee had approached the Supreme Court to stall the SIR exercise to prevent the identification of infiltrators, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday claimed that the people of the state have made up their minds to dislodge the Trinamool Congress from power.
The TMC countered strongly, urging Gupta to "look into her own backyard" and accused her of making absurd allegations against the TMC government without checking facts.
Addressing participants at the 'Nari Sankalp Yatra' organised by the BJP's women's wing at Science City auditorium here, Gupta alleged that the "hands-off" and appeasement policies of the TMC government had allowed thousands of infiltrators to enter the state in recent years.
She claimed that this had put a strain on basic rights such as access to water, electricity, ration, education, livelihood and the right to vote for genuine citizens.
"She wants to perpetuate this and hence is trying to stall the SIR exercise, which aims at identifying and deporting infiltrators. Imagine a chief minister going to the apex court to argue against an exercise meant to ensure free and fair polls," Gupta said.
The BJP leader alleged that appeasement politics had reached an "alarming level" under the TMC regime.
Raising concerns over women's safety, she claimed that women in the state were not secure despite having a woman chief minister.
Referring to the rape-murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Gupta alleged that the state government had failed to respond adequately to such crimes.
She also referred to the alleged rape of a woman medic in Durgapur and another law student on a Kolkata college campus, claiming that criminals had been emboldened to commit brutalities against women.
She alleged that in crimes against women, overall crime incidents and child marriages, West Bengal remained among the top -- "a slur on a state which once led intellectual and social movements and set examples for the rest of the country," she said.
Criticising the state government's welfare initiatives, she said schemes such as Kanyashree were built on "false claims" and asserted that women needed security rather than assurances.
Accusing the state government of blocking central schemes, Gupta alleged that funds worth "lakhs of crores of rupees" had not reached the poor due to non-implementation of programmes such as Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission by the state.
"You are only interested in renaming projects and taking credit," she said.
Gupta also alleged that the education sector in the state had been adversely affected, saying several state-run schools had closed due to a shortage of teachers and that the government was opposed to the National Education Policy.
Drawing a comparison with BJP-ruled Delhi, Gupta said, "People have already voted out 'Bhaia' (a reference to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal). Now it is your turn to bid farewell to 'Didi'." Calling upon women to resist what she termed "strong-arm tactics", she urged them to assert their strength, invoking the imagery of Goddess Durga.
"Bengal has the right to live with dignity, and women have the right to live with dignity," she added.
Reacting to Gupta's allegations, West Bengal Women and Child Welfare minister Shashi Panja accused her of making "absurd allegations" against the Trinamool Congress government ahead of elections.
Panja alleged that during Gupta's tenure in Delhi, several incidents had raised serious concerns, including reports of missing young women and a blast near the Red Fort.
She also criticised the air pollution situation in the national capital, claiming that people were struggling to breathe.
The TMC leader said that despite being in power for a year, Gupta was making "tall claims" instead of addressing key issues in Delhi.
Panja further alleged that the Delhi CM visited West Bengal during elections to "peddle false allegations" against the state government.
Rebutting Gupta, the TMC said in a post on X said, "Madam why did you go off-script again? For your edification, here are the cold, hard facts: In total cases of crimes (IPC + SLL), Bengal ranks a respectable 15th, far safer than BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, which languish near the bottom."
"In overall crime rate, Bengal sits comfortably at 28th. Who's second? Your own Delhi. Double Engine Gujarat and Haryana grab 4th and 5th as top-tier crime havens," the TMC said.
"In child marriage, Assam again takes the shameful pole position. And yet you dare lecture Bengal? Stop embarrassing yourself, stop the hypocrisy, and maybe fix the rotting mess in your own backyard before pointing fingers at a state that's outperforming your disasters on every key metric," the TMC countered.
