At 73, “Bobbili Dronacharya” still trains youth for defence and police forces
Vizianagaram: While most people his age choose a quiet retirement, 73-year-old Srinivasa Rao is on the playground before sunrise each day, giving free physical training to youth in Bobbili who aspire to join the defence, police, and other armed forces.
For 53 years, Rao has followed one mission: provide free training to rural youth so they can secure stable careers. To date, he has mentored more than 10,000 aspirants, preparing them for recruitment in the defence forces, police, armed forces, and the recent Agnipath scheme. Locals affectionately call him the “Bobbili Dronacharya.”
Rao, who hails from a middle-class family in Anavaram village under Badangi mandal, was born on April 14, 1953, and brought up in Bobbili in Vizianagaram district.
His journey began as an athlete in school, competing in the 400 metres, 1500 metres, 5 km, 10 km, half marathon, and marathon. His talent took him to the national stage, and he won several state medals as an amateur athlete. He could not continue at the national level due to lack of proper guidance.
The district administration selected him as a Sericulture Assistant in 1985 under the sports quota. He later moved as a panchayat secretary on deputation in 2002 and retired from service in 2011.
Retirement did not slow his training schedule. Five decades on, Rao continues to turn early mornings into opportunities, helping a new generation of rural youth chase uniforms and secure livelihoods.
