Postman shows the way

Distribution of bed sheets, bread and fruits to street urchins and the homeless was sponsored by the postman of the Gandhinagar Post Office R. Ramachandra Rao.

Officials of the Department of Post distributing bed sheets and fruits to the poor and needy women on behalf of postman Ramachandra Rao (in blue coat) at Gandhinagar post office in Vijayawada on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, people in the vicinity of the Gandhinagar Post Office witnessed distribution of bed sheets, bread and fruits to street urchins and the homeless by officials of the Department of Posts.

Contrary to the perception that such programmes are sponsored by a government department or an NGO, this distribution was sponsored by the postman of the Gandhinagar Post Office R. Ramachandra Rao.

In an ample demonstration of the fact that love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries, Mr. Rao has been making all out efforts to reach out to the poor and the needy in his small way.

“I come from a middle class freedom fighters’ family. It may not be of big help to these people who sleep on the pavements in cold winter nights. Buying them bedsheets to cover themselves was all I could think of,” Mr. Rao told The Hindu on Saturday.

After office hours, Mr. Rao made good use of his free time on Friday evening by going around the areas of Old Government General Hospital, Old Bus Stand, Railway Station, Eluru Locks and cinema halls and pavements that attract a large number of the homeless.

“Of the 80 needy women identified, at least 15 of them were pregnant,” he said adding that he gave them coupons and asked them to gather at the post office the next morning.

Post Master Eeswar Prasad, Senior Superintendent S.V. Siva Prasad, Assistant Superintendent of Post Office Mohammed Asif, Office Superintendent C. H. Sivarama Prasad and PRO G.V. Raghavaiah participated in the distribution programme.

Mr. Rao has been doing this for the last 10 years. In winters, he distributes bed sheets to the homeless and needy and in summer, it is the needy schoolchildren from economically backward sections who benefit from his magnanimity. He buys books and uniforms for them.

Dak Seva Award winner

Winner of the Dak Seva Award, Mr. Rao is also known for his loyalty to the department he works for thanks to his obsession for all things red.

He moves around in his uniform, rides a red bicycle, which is equipped with a red bag besides a red colour box affixed to the rear.

Even the water bottle and lunch box he carries are also red in colour.