The Tea Seller's Dream in a Nearby World | D. Prakash Rao | TEDxNLUO

Roadside tea-seller D. Prakash Rao extends his bundle of rare experiences to demonstrate the power of will to transform worlds. The talk showcases the dire necessity of education in a fast developing world filled with disparity, and a most unique and exemplary idea to contribute to development from the grassroots.

D. Prakash Rao is a 60 year old tea-seller at Buxi Bazaar in Cuttack, India. However, that’s the only ordinary thing about him. His father was a World War II veteran, and whilst growing up he had to endure the pangs of poverty and premature responsibility. Since age 7, he has been managing his father’s tea stall, their only means of an income, after the family fell on hard times. Over the course of years, Rao recognised the power of expression in moulding and shaping individual and collective plight. He gradually developed into a polyglot- being able to speak in as many as 6 or 7 tongues. After being a victim to lower torso paralysis 4 decades ago,and being saved by a donation of 1 unit of blood, Mr. Rao gave in to the empath and altruist within him. Today, he is the world record holder for being the highest blood donor in Asia. He runs a primary school for slum children, provides daily milk and nourishment to the students with the proceeds of his tea stall.



This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx