Dr.A.Shankar Rao MBBS., LO – 1906 TO 1966
Today, we fondly recall the glory of our Grandfather who was the founder Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association in 1952 which today has about 3000 member ophthalmologists. Many do not know that the association was started in Trichy for TN before any other state could do it. Our family hails from Mangalore with roots in Hospet in Karnataka and, Amalapuram in Andhra. All said and done, now in Srirangam because of our loving Grandpa. Tamil Nadu has been a chosen land from 1896 to date and we are thankful to the lord of the land, the Tamil people, and the great language Tamil.
It is amusing to know that my grandparents used to speak in Tulu whenever needed until they got comfortable with Tamil sooner in Madras and Madras Medical College.
His elder brother Prof Venkat Rao was the Reader of the Kannada Language in Madras Presidency and was instrumental in introducing BA (Kannada) for the first time. It was in Madras Presidency College, Kannada graduation was introduced first and then taken to Mysore University. That sounds incredible.
Proud of you Grandpas. You stay in our memories and inspire us forever to bear a kind heart and elevate the soul. Love.
In the pic: Dr. Shankar Rao and his younger brother Somasundar Rao (May &Baker)