Dr. TSR Prasada Rao is Sundayya mamayya for us. While he was an eminent scientist, scholar, entrepreneur, and mentor for many, I was proud of calling him mamayya. He is a role model for me and everyone one in his family. My parents used to refer to him for our inspiration. He is the only one those days in our family who did a Ph.D., who was highly successful professionally, traveled extensively, spoke in conferences, and won several awards. He had very humble beginnings growing up in a small village, Avidi. I thought that was a fine example of material and professional success. But only after growing up and I started my professional career, I realized there is so much more to learn from him.
He was always generous with his time, always giving sound advice, and willing to mentor. In 1986, he came to Vizag to attend a function at Andhra University. He took me along with him and introduced me to all the professors and his classmates. He did not have to do it, I was just too young to understand or appreciate such a gathering. Later on, I realized he did that to inspire me and to help me build a network. After my mother passed away, he used to call me regularly. I used to seek his advice more often after I lost my parents.
Talking about network, he had friends everywhere. When I was new to Connecticut, he introduced me to Dr. Bharat Kolluri. When I was working in India, I had to go to Haldia Petrochemicals on a consulting trip. I met so many people there that knew him and respected him. Everyone in Petrochemical industry or those who studied in Andhra University during his time knew him.
He was always brimming with optimism. The story of his joining IPCL was a great example of his optimism. His interview letter for IPCL arrived few days late. By that time, scheduled interview was over. Most people get rejected and leave the opportunity and blame it on their fate. But mamayya sent a telegram to the HR person and said even though letter arrived late, he is coming for the interview. He showed up in Baroda, HR refused to interview him. But the hiring manager was impressed with his perseverance and interest in the opportunity and offered him the job. He told me that was a turning point in his career. In 1990, I visited Baroda. He took me around Baroda and to the IPCL campus. I spent almost whole day in his office and got a chance to see how he interacted with people. It was a great lesson in interpersonal skills that they don’t teach you at MBA schools.
I got more opportunities to talk and meet mamayya after his retirement – in his case, he never retired. I thought he got very busy after he left corporate career. He was busy with his consulting and entrepreneurship. He used to encourage me to do something on my own. Sadly, that was one advice I never followed so far. For him, creating wealth is the means to distribute wealth and help others. He did so much for his native village Avidi. I got a chance to participate in some of them. In fact, his last project in Avidi is the Post office building. He took time to explain why Post office building is so important to the people. I am forever indebted to him for giving me the opportunity to be a small part of the great work he was doing in Avidi.
Mamayya was generous with not just his time and advice, but also money. I know quite a few that he helped with their education and financial needs, I am sure there are many more.
Mamayya left a great legacy for us to carry forward, but it is not easy to carry on that legacy. That requires his humility, humanity, generosity, and optimism. He was a true example of the motto “Love All, Serve All”.
My heartfelt condolences to attayya, Uday, Haritha, Srinivas, and his grandchildren. It is very tough losing mamayya within a year of losing my mother. I share their sorrow. Mamayya had his share of troubles and losses. But he always carried on with optimism. He always had a mission – that is to help others. Again thats my learning from mamayya- best way to deal with this loss is to focus on my purpose in life.
– Sairam Tadigadapa