About the school
How a farmer's answer to his son became a free school for deaf children.
How it began
Dr. Nagubadi Subba Rao was born in Kommarnenivari Palem, a small village near Parchur. His parents, Rangaiah and Atchamma, were small farmers who worked hard to educate him, and he walked five miles to attend high school in Parchur. He went on to England and then America, and he always wanted to build something in his parents' names.
When he asked his father whether that should be a college, a high school, or a school for disabled children, his father chose the school straight away. He knew what that meant: of Dr. Subba Rao's two elder sisters, one had partial hearing and the other lost her hearing to a childhood illness after learning to speak.
Dr. Subba Rao's parents were there from the day the site was bought. His father supervised the construction, kept visiting every week, and sent produce from the family's land to the school. He lived past 100.
Finding students was hard at first. Dr. Subba Rao went from village to village, convincing parents to send their children. Recalling the words of Swami Vivekananda, he calls the chance to help these children a blessing, because many of them might otherwise have no chance of an education.
How we've grown
- 1999
The charitable trust is formed.
- 2002
The school opens in Nagulapalem, starting with just a few children.
- Later years
Enrollment reaches a peak of 85 children, and government permission extends the school to Class 10.
- Today
About 60 students live and study here with eight specially trained teachers. Class 10 students have passed at a 100% rate for five or six years, and the school is planning vocational training.
Who keeps it running
Dr. Nagubadi Subba Rao
Founder, chairman, and donor. He has personally spent over ₹10 crore on construction, salaries, and the mess. When he visits, he spends time with the children and brings things they've asked for.
Umadevi
Principal, with 12 years at the school.
Anjaneyulu
A government school teacher for 35 years, who has volunteered as the school's administrator since retiring in 2018.
Chandrasekhar
Accountant, who also helps find and admit students and looks after their everyday needs.