Hyderabad: Famous educationist Chukka Ramaiah had celebrated his 97th birthday on Saturday at his residence in Vidyanagar here. He planted three samplings on the occasion. Erraballi Dayakar Rao, Telangana minister, had visited Ramaiah’s residence to greet the great teacher. Mallepalli Laxmaiah, Special Officer, Budhavanam Project, K. Ramachandra Murthy, a journalist, were present along with Ramaiah’s elder daughter Uma Ravi when the birthday boy had cut the cake. The teacher is happy and healthy responding to the greetings enthusiastically.
Ramaiah was born in Warangal district and grew up in a leftist environment. He participated in Telangana peasants’ armed struggle. He has been involved  in all the struggles in Telangana since 1947. He has been a greatly admired teacher who worked in Medak, Nalgonda and Hyderabad districts. After retirement, he launched a coaching centre for preparing students appearing for IIT entrance test. He helped thousands of students get admission into IIT. He also organized special coaching for the Tribal and Dalit youth for IIT. He has thousands of his students across the world settled in good jobs or flourishing  businesses. He visited the US several times. Whenever he goes abroad, he makes it a point to visit schools and colleges and tries to understand the system of education in vogue in those countries. He is a votary of quality education and is against learning by rote. He insists on enabling the students to think originally.
The teacher par excellence had written several books on education. Civil rights is another area which interested him most. He worked with eminent IAS office SR Sankaran, righrs advocate Kannabhiraon, noted editor Pothuri Venkateswara Rao, Professor Haragopal and others to safeguard civil rights. Standing by the underdog has been his conviction. He has been one of the advisors of Centre for Dalit Studies since its inception more than ten years ago.
Chukka Ramaiah lost his wife Lakshmi Bai in 2010 in a fire accident. They have four children. All of two daughters and two sons had settled in the US. He lives with his students in Hyderabad in a frugal way.
Ramaiah was greeted at his house by minister Erraballi Dayakar Rao, eminent educationist Brahmam, senior police officer Nagamallu, the convenor of Telangana Archakas Joint Action Committee Ravindracharyulu, Mahatam Gandhi Foundation organizer Ganta Damodar, EO of Hanuman temple in Sanat Nagar Rajiv and students of Government Gurukul School and took his blessings.
