Even for a relative newcomer to Sadashivanagar like me, it did not take long to meet and get to know Mr. D. Sundarasiva Rao, who is one of the well-known residents of this area. He always enjoys meeting all kinds of people, and greets everyone with a warm smile and a cheerful greeting. As I got to know him, I came to know about his long and eventful life, spanning many generations.

Born in Mysore on the 22nd of December 1925, Mr. Rao grew up in that city in the company of other eminent citizens like R.K. Narayan (the novelist) and R.K. Laxman (the cartoonist). His father worked in the Railways, and was subsequently transferred to Bangalore, where Mr. Rao completed his school and college (Intermediate) education. As he wished to have a professional education, he then joined the very first batch of the B.Sc. Agriculture course at the Banaras Hindu University, which he completed successfully in 1948.

After graduating, Mr. Rao took up a career in the sugar industry. He joined the Nizam Sugars company in Hyderabad, and worked with them from 1949 to 1986. He was posted at different locations like Bodhan and Miryalguda in (then) Andhra Pradesh, where he was in charge of the large sugarcane farms. He oversaw the entire process of cultivation, procurement, processing and manufacture, and so acquired an extensive knowledge of the sugar industry. He retired as General Manager in 1986.

Mr. Rao’s wife Savitri has been his faithful partner. She was a teacher and taught in company schools wherever he was posted. His two children are successful professionals in their own right – son Nagaraj (63), a Personnel Manager in Hyderabad, and daughter Shanthi (52), a doctor specialising in Wound Management and based in Dallas, Texas, USA.

Nagaraj describes his father as devoted to his family, who did the best for his children and ensured the best possible education for them, wherever he was posted. He also said his father was fully dedicated to the organisations he worked in.

How he lives

Mr. Rao believes strongly in keeping very active, both mentally and physically. On most mornings between 7 and 8 am, you will find him at either the Sankey Tank walkway, the Low Level Park, the Janatha Bazar Park, or at the Raman Research Institute. He recognises and remembers his friends immediately as they approach him – proof of his remarkable memory and eyesight. A couple of falls during his walks have not kept him away. These falls led to bleeding under his skull bones, and he needed surgery to remove the blood clots. He bears the scars of these cheerfully. He has simple vegetarian food at home, cooked in groundnut oil. He has been lucky not to have any major health problems, but has had to have a pacemaker inserted about three years ago. Mr. Rao is a keen reader, and his favourite publications are ‘Reader’s Digest’ and ‘Tattvaloka’. He keeps upto date with news and current affairs, by reading the Deccan Herald and Eenadu newspapers thoroughly

Advice to the younger generation

Mr. Rao advises everyone to have positive approach to life, and to do good to others. ‘‘Do not think of the past – it is done. The present and the future should only really matter”. Lastly Mr. Rao is an example to all of us on how to live a long, happy and healthy life. Though his life has been full of years, more importantly, his years have been full of life. We wish him well as he approaches his ‘century’ in December this year – may he score many more runs after that!

Interviewed By –Dr. Ravi D’Souza