The untiring idealist

 

 

Religion can divide, religion can unite. Dr S N Subba Rao has, for the better part of his life, dedicated himself to resuscitating the latter. A true Gandhian, and recipient of Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award (2003) and the National Communal Harmony Award (2004), 80-year old Subba Rao is a firm believer in the goodness of the country’s youth and its ability to transcend the myriad man-made divides.

Born in Bangalore in 1929, Dr Rao had participated in the Quit India Movement, when young Subba Rao had joined a march in protest against the arrest of leaders of the freedom struggle. “I had always idolised Gandhi and his principles. I still remember going out to protest on the streets with my classmates. I was arrested but not imprisoned because I was only 13,” recalled Dr Rao. He later joined the Sena Dal and his involvement with the mobilisation of youth had begun. Subba Rao then joined the Indian National Congress (INC) where he worked closely with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. “I came to Delhi in 1951 after studying law. It was then that I got involved with the INC, but soon planned to move on because of the growing bureaucracy. I could take such steps in life because of my parents. My father was an advocate and a role model for me. It was their encouragement which kept me going in life,” Dr Rao gratefully acknowledged.

Although he’s stayed outside active political participation post-independence, Dr Rao’s love for the country is unrelenting. At an age where most would consider giving the mind and body some well-deserved rest, Dr Rao continues to sweat it out with The National Youth Project, founded by him in 1972. Although he’s stayed outside active political participation post-independence, Dr Rao’s love for the country is unrelenting. At an age where most would consider giving the mind and body some well-deserved rest, Dr Rao continues to sweat it out with The National Youth Project, founded by him in 1972. Explaining this mission, Dr Rao said, “The aim of this project is education of young people. And by education I mean teaching human values, communal harmony and national integration. I’m constantly involved with the government to devise strategies for integration. We have worked with lakhs of young people towards this.” Convinced of the mind being the foremost instrument of peace, Dr Rao regularly participates in the Janadesh March, organised with the help of like-thinking people to get different communities together. These camps, held not only in India but also US, Canada and Germany, are chiefly enrolled in by the young for promoting awareness and solving community related issues.

As part of his attempts to spread the message of Gandhiji’s life and ideals, Dr Rao was once on an exhibition train called ‘Gandhi Darshan Train’ cruising through the remotest corners of India. It was then, while in Chambal Valley, that he had encountered notorious dacoit Man Singh’s gang. He excitedly recounted, “I was in the outskirts of Chambal and was shocked to see these dacoits roamed around with rifles. But contrary to their image, they were extremely hospitable and did us no harm. That was when I realised that there is innate goodness in every human being.” Dr Rao founded the Gandhi Ashram in Joura in the Chambal Valley and, after two years of interaction with the bandits, his faith bore fruit when in 1972, about 600 of them surrendered at the Ashram. “Circumstances had forced them to take up arms. We showed them a better picture of life. Their transformation was a great reward to us. Today, many of them are very good farmers, some are potters and some others extract honey. The Ashram also gives shelter to adivasi girls intent on earning a good living,” proudly explained Dr Rao.

A visionary and an intrepid leader, Dr S N Subba Rao makes short shrift of his sacrifices and struggles in the dream for a better tomorrow. “In my life, I’ve always made an attempt to bridge the gap between man and man. After all, we need some people to spread love”, he signs off with a smile.