metro india news  I hyderabad

In a heart-warming spectacle that blurred political divides and celebrated pure legacy, the modest residence of Chukka Ramaiah in Vidyanagar turned into a buzzing place as the legendary educationist stepped into his 100th year. Affectionately known as "IIT Ramaiah", the man who transformed "IIT" from an elite dream into a reachable reality for thousands of rural and underprivileged students was showered with love from across the spectrum – Chief Minister, former ministers, academicians, and literary icons all queued up to greet him on this special day. If IIT is a dream, he was the dream-maker – and today, Telangana paused to salute its living legend.

Born on November 20, 1925, in a small village in Warangal district, Chukka Ramaiah's life reads like an epic of resilience and rebellion. A freedom fighter who challenged feudalism and untouchability in pre-Independence Hyderabad State, he was jailed multiple times, even banished by his own Brahmin community for uplifting Dalits and the downtrodden. Influenced by leftist ideology and Mahatma Gandhi's movements, he joined the armed peasant struggle against the Nizam's Razakars. Books read in Aurangabad jail – Nehru's letters and Discovery of India – ignited his lifelong passion: education as the ultimate weapon against poverty and oppression.

After studying at Osmania University, Ramaiah taught mathematics across Telangana before retiring as principal of a residential school in Nagarjuna Sagar. Destiny had bigger plans. In 1985, a few determined students knocked on his door begging for IIT-JEE coaching. What started as informal classes at 4 a.m. exploded into the iconic Ramaiah IIT Study Circle – an institute that democratised IIT education like no other.

His mantra? Concepts over rote learning. "IIT questions don't exceed Class XII syllabus – they just test clarity," he would say. No fancy buildings, no skyrocketing fees – just pure conceptual mastery, thought-provoking dialogues, and a belief that original thinking comes from students, not teachers. Result: Thousands cracked IIT-JEE, many from remote villages who today shine as engineers across the globe. As one admirer put it, "In both Telugu states, if you meet an IITian settled abroad, chances are Chukka Ramaiah is the reason." He earned the title IIT Ramaiah forever – the original IIT-Wallah of India.

Politics couldn't ignore his fire. Elected MLC in 2007 from the teachers' constituency, he became a fierce voice for Telangana statehood, highlighting regional backwardness and fighting for an IIT in Hyderabad (which we got!). A prolific writer with over 16 Telugu books on education, he remains a guiding light in social reform.

Today, his Vidyanagar home overflowed with reverence. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy led the tributes with a message on X platform: "With miraculous teaching, he paved golden paths for youth's future, becoming 'IIT Ramaiah' and Telangana's pride. May he celebrate many more birthdays!"

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, accompanied by Prof Haragopal, Gidugu Rudraraju, and others, invoked ancient wisdom: "Mātṛdevo bhava, Pitṛdevo bhava, Āchāryadevo bhava – he gave full meaning to honouring teachers. His inspiration will push Telangana ahead in every field." Prabhakar, a longtime admirer since his student leader days, announced plans for a grand government felicitation and stressed education as the only lasting gift in today's world.

From the opposition, BRS working president KTR arrived personally with leaders like Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Muta Gopal: "IIT evokes Chukka Ramaiah first – the guiding light of service and knowledge. He shaped destinies of lakhs and was a political compass in the Telangana movement. Celebrating his century is inspiring for us all!"

Former minister T Harish Rao echoed the cross-party sentiment: "A personality respected beyond politics and ideologies – his life embodies values. Privilege to wish him on this 100th milestone." Professor Haragopal, literary figures like Madabhushi Sridhar, and countless former students added to the emotional outpouring. Even at 100, Ramaiah's razor-sharp memory stunned everyone – joking about and also recalling decades-old events vividly.

In an era of commercial coaching factories, Chukka Ramaiah stands tall as proof that one dedicated soul can change thousands of destinies. As Telangana basks in his century, the message is clear: True gurus don't retire – they inspire forever to light the path. Here's to the man who proved age is just a number and service is eternal. Happy 100th, IIT Ramaiah garu – may your tribe increase!