Living legend Chukka Ramaiah

• Celebrating IIT Ramaiah as a centenarian, a rebel teacher
• A symbol of Telangana’s social conscience.
• Chukka Ramaiah: The Centenarian Architect of an Education

In the very heart of  Vidyanagar a name that means ‘City of Knowledge’ lies a profound irony: thousands reside there, yet many remain unaware of its true patron, Chukka Ramaiah. This ignorance, perhaps, stems from a lack of genuine education or a failure to grasp its true meaning. In truth, Vidyanagar is fundamentally Chukka Ramaiah Nagar. The residents themselves attest to it: this entire locality belongs to the legendary centenarian. Though no government decree may name it, this is unmistakably the city of the “Grandfather of Learning,” our beloved IIT Ramaiah.

As he enters his hundredth year, still radiant with vitality, we are reminded of his enduring legacy. While we recall national icons on their birth anniversaries, November 20th marks the celebration of a man who has walked into the hearts of millions. This living legend, often seated tall in his wheelchair, greets everyone warmly, offers concise wisdom in interviews, and inspires merely through his presence. How fortunate are those who live in the orbit of such an extraordinary man.

On November 20th, as he enters his centennial year, still radiating vitality, we celebrate the man who has profoundly impacted the lives of lakhs. While we recall giants like Nehru and Indira Gandhi, we must also honor Ramaiah a figure who sits tall in his wheelchair, offering warm greetings alongside profound, concise wisdom. To live in the presence of this revolutionary educator is a truly rare privilege.

When his daughter gained admission to the IIT, Ramaiah was concerned by the low number of Telugu students achieving the same success. Determined to change this, he began personally training local students. Thus, in 1985, his now-legendary institute was born. At 4 a.m., hopeful students and parents would stream into Nallakunta. Thousands succeeded. Although only 175 were selected through the institute’s own entrance exam, the phenomenon became so large that people soon created coaching for Ramaiah’s coaching and even coaching just to pass the entrance exam for his coaching.

Emphasizing Impact and Philosophy

Rejecting rote learning, Chukka Ramaiah taught that mathematics was an idea, not a formula. Word-of-mouth alone fueled the growth of his empire. With thousands of his students entering the IITs, he became nationally known as IIT Ramaiah the simple, fearless teacher who democratized India’s hardest entrance exam.

Challenging His Own Community

Ramaiah was a lifelong activist who fought the Nizam, defied the Razakars, and endured imprisonment. Shaped by revolutionary ideas from Osmania University, he focused on confronting the enemies of feudalism and untouchability. His outspoken anti-untouchability activism led to a painful consequence: Brahmins in his village boycotted his family, and he was expelled from his own community. He paid the price, yet walked forward without regret, continuing to speak out even today.

Struggle Beyond Politics

“Struggle is never just political; it is a fight for social and economic freedom. Land must belong to the tiller,” he once recalled. This unshakeable belief led to his imprisonment in Aurangabad Central Prison. He is remembered by Prof. Haragopal, Smt. Vanamala, journalist Pasham Yadagiri, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and thousands of students as one of the living symbols of Telangana’s conscience. And yes, he proudly states, “Haragopal is our son-in-law.”

 From a Noblest Profession

Ramaiah believed no profession was nobler than teaching. He worked as a mathematics teacher and later as Principal at Nagarjuna Sagar. In 1983, driven by his commitment to making way for younger teachers, he took voluntary retirement years ahead of schedule. This choice was costly: he forfeited his pension and benefits, making survival profoundly difficult.

Basara: The Turning Point

He spent a week at the Basara Saraswati temple contemplating his future. There, he decided he would continue teaching privately, independently, fearlessly. He attributed everything he achieved afterward to Saraswati’s blessing. When Andhra Pradesh received an IIT, he urged that it be established in Basara. Due to practical reasons, it was set up in Hyderabad instead.

The ‘M.S. Acharya Memorial Lecture’

In 2007, he was elected MLC from the Teachers’ Constituency. Among the eight independents elected from various regions, Ramaiah became their floor leader. Delivering this lecture at Kakatiya University on 16 December 2016, he warned: If the press is silent, it means the people’s voices are being suppressed.” He criticized newspapers that opposed Telangana even after statehood, and highlighted biased reporting on Krishna river water issues. He praised M.S. Acharya for running Janadharma with integrity despite enormous hardship.

“Warangal,” he said, “may lack wealth, but it is rich in sacrifice.”

Ramaiah’s book, Chaduvula Thatha, was released by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, with Education Minister N. Rajyalakshmi and writer Juluri Gowri Shankar in attendance. Over one lakh copies were sold a remarkable achievement for such a thin volume. Journalist A. Rajahussain translated it into Hindi and English, and it was eagerly read by children across the country. Ramaiah authored more than twenty books, each demonstrating his profound understanding of how children learn and the true art of teaching. The centenarian Ramaiah lives on, not only through his writings but also through the engineers he shaped and the students he awakened, cementing his legacy as the quintessential teacher.

Ramaiah authored many books in Telugu

1. Chinna Paatham  2. Desa Desallo Vidya 3. Badipanthulaku Rajakiyala? 4. Chaduvula Thova 5. Chaduvulo Sagam 6. Chitti Chetulu (essays) 7. Daryapthu 8. Ee Matti Runam Theerchukuntaa 9. Nadaka 10. Jnana Logillu 11. Inti Bhasha (essays) 12. Maroka Paatham 13. Sakala 14. Lekkalo Na Prayogalu 15. Mana Chaduvulu 16. Prathamika  17. Laathi Charge 18. Prabanjlakaran–Vidya 19. Ramayyaji Gnapakalu 20. Samatvam Pratibha 21. Sankhshema Vidya 22. Samvadam 23. Taragathi.

Dr. Madabhushi Sridhar

Law professor and eminent columnist

Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu, author of 63 books (in Telugu and English), Formerly Central Information Commissioner, Professor of NALSAR University, Bennett University (near Delhi), presently Professor and Advisor, Mahindra University, Hyderabad. Studied in Masoom Ali High School, AVV Junior College, CKM College, and Kakatiya University in Warangal. Madabhushi did LL.M., MCJ., and the highest law degree, LL.D. He won 4 Gold Medals at Kakatiya University and Osmania University.