Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi, alumni from Telangana shares how his school has impacted his life for the better

"Life is always beautiful and colourful with mutual respect, understanding, cooperation and coordination". - Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi 

Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi is an alumni of Sri Vidyaranya Avasa Vidyalayam, Bandlaguda- Jagir in Telangana. He studied in the Vidya Bharti school for only a short period of 3 years, but took away lessons worth a lifetime. Recently he gave a short interview regarding his experiences, the extract of which is as follows:

Interviewer: Kindly tell us something about your academic background. 

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi : Till class 7th I studied in Zilla Parishad Govt High school. In the year 1992, I got admitted to Sri Vidyaranya Avasa Vidyalayam, Bandlaguda- Jagir in class 8 and completed by 10th from there. Later I completed by 11th and 12th from Venkat Reddy Junior college, Hyderabad and my BSc (Computers) from Osmania University, Andhra Pradesh. I have also done my M.C.A (i.e Master in Computer Applications) from Gulbarga University, Karnataka.

Interviewer: How was your professional journey so far? 

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi : I was an average student during my school days. I did my initial studies from Telugu medium and joined English medium only in the intermediate stage. My Intermediate score was not good, and thus I could not get into an Engineering college, as I had planned. I was thoroughly passionate about computers, so as the second best option, I took up Computer Science at college. I had to face a lot of hurdles in the 1st year due to my weak grip on English, but by the end of the second year, I was able to overcome my drawback and completed the year successfully. While doing my graduation. I also enrolled for a parallel 1 year course at NIIT. I was able to complete my graduation with 60 % marks and M.C.A with more than 70%.  

My struggles did not end there. In spite of passing out with relatively good marks, I was struggling to find a job. In an effort to support myself, I started teaching Computer subjects in a couple of Institutes in Hyderabad. 

After struggling for a while, I got the opportunity to work in a startup company as a software developer. Presently it has been almost thirteen years, that I have been working successfully in the IT industry in different companies.Currently, I'm working as ‘Module Lead’ with a eight member team for IoT (Internet Of Things). 

Interviewer: Are you associated with any kind of social work? 

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi : It has been almost ten years that I have been associated with social service, in some form or the other. I donate regularly for several causes, such as health care for the needy. I was also an active member in the Telangana Azad Force (TAF) until 2014.

Interviewer: Did Vidya Bharati have any impact on your life? 

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi : I have studied only three years in Vidya Bharati, but within this short period, by school installed nationalistic feeling along with education, for which I am very grateful. It was these teachings that have helped me to work towards the betterment of my nation through social service. Even one of my sisters is also an alumni of this school. 

I am thankful to God for giving me this opportunity to study in Vidya Bharati school and feel proud to be it’s alumni.

Interviewer: Are you in touch with your school? if yes, how? 

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi : Yes, I am still in touch with my school and joined the Old student's committee. 

Since 2016 I've adopted a branch of my school near my house and helped financially to provide for its infrastructure. I have also established a computer lab in the school. 

During the recent ‘Poorva Vidyarthi Parishad’s Maha Sammelan 2019' I've been one of the active members of the organising team.

Interviewer: Would you like to give any message to Vidya Bharati ? 

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi : Vidya Bharati schools are totally different from other schools. It installs the concepts of nationalism, cultural values and social service, which are all important part of education. A country can prosper only if its students are educated with right values and all Vidya Bharati schools are doing this amazingly well.

Interviewer: Apart from your school, who has inspired you in your life? 

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi : My entire family, including my father, mother, sisters, wife and my two children has continuously inspired me to move ahead in life. 

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad thanks Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad Surthi for sharing his experiences and thoughts with the alumni community

If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and want to share your story as well, kindly email us at info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will contact you back.