A Father’s Legacy
Atreyapuram to Mumbai Megapolis. The Exciting Journey of a Village Boy.
Atreyapuram to Mumbai Megapolis. The Exciting Journey of a Village boy details the life experiences of a shy and unassuming village boy who, through sheer hard work, sincerity, and dedication, went on to become an Executive Director & Economic Advisor at one of Asia’s premier development bank located at Mumbai. The boy imbibed the spirit of sacrifice, social service, and hard work, early in his childhood, from his parents. His father was a freedom fighter with agrarian background and his mother came from a scholarly family.
His village, located in South India, had no electricity, no proper roads and was water-locked on all sides with no communication before sunrise and after sunset. In such conditions, he worked hard to complete his junior high school studies in vernacular (Telugu) with distinction. Further, he passed high school and completed his graduation in Mathematics from a nearby town college with high distinction. He completed his post-graduation in Statistics with first class. Starting his career as a lecturer in an Agricultural University, he landed a job for himself in the Reserve Bank of India, one of the world’s prestigious Central bank. Thus, began his journey in the Mumbai Megapolis.
He had to adapt, adjust and transform to the new culture and environment. In due course, he successfully adapted to his new home without losing his native character. His urge to continue his academic pursuits earned him a second M.A. and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Economics from the University of Bombay (now Mumbai). This, in a way, helped him get higher responsibilities and also landed him a job at Industrial Development Bank of India, (IDBI, now IDBI bank). He rose to the rank of Executive Director & Economic Advisor at IDBI.
Opportunities came his way to represent his employers & India and travel to 12 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia to participate in conferences and deliver talks. His urge to see places of interest both spiritual as well as tourist destinations took him to travel extensively in India with his family. His family’s social orientation made him to actively participate in cultural and educational organizations.
On successful completion of his career, he decided to go back to his roots and moved into his ancestral home. In his second stint, he became a successful farmer of his agricultural land.
He donated large sums along with his brothers to reconstruct the dilapidated library building, which his father had started. The authorities named the new library building after his father to commemorate his birth centenary. He supported several local activities across the social strata. Some of them include donations to construct individual toilets to promote better sanitary, maintenance of local worship places, education of the needy and organized three medical camps. In deference to his father’s wishes and his own desire, he donated his ancestral home to Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham to pursue their spiritual activities, perpetually.
Having completed his desires at his native place he returned to his karmabhoomi to his home at Navi Mumbai. Married in a dramatic fashion, where the bride and bridegroom had not seen each other, he leads a happy retired life with their two sons and one daughter well settled in their respective lives. His children are well educated and his six grandchildren are well set to emulate their parents and grandparents.
In his book, “Atreyapuram to Mumbai Megapolis. The Exciting Journey of a Village Boy.”, Dr. Kasichainula Kameswara Rao has shared his experiences of life.