As the Rao family continues to support the educational journeys of Indian students in Australia, the impact of their philanthropy honors Dr. Rao’s memory and cements his legacy as a bridge of hope and opportunity across continents
In 1968, Dr. T. Janardhana (Jana) Rao and his family left Chennai, India, to start a new life in Melbourne, Australia. At the time, Melbourne’s Indian community was sparse, with fewer than 100 residents from India. Yet today, the Rao family’s legacy stands as a cornerstone of support for international students from India, offering vital assistance through the Rao Family Bursary. This program, initiated in 2021, has already changed the lives of 39 recipients and promises a lasting impact across generations, reported theaustraliatoday.com.au.
Dr. Rao, an accomplished surgeon, faced early challenges upon arrival in Melbourne. Although he held qualifications in surgery, he initially struggled to find hospital placements and ultimately joined a general practice. However, his skill and dedication eventually earned him honorary fellowships with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. Meanwhile, his wife Vimala extended a hand to other newcomers, inviting Indian migrants into their home and helping them establish a sense of belonging within Melbourne’s evolving Indian-Australian community.
The Rao family’s dedication has also led to significant roles within the Indian-Australian community, with Dr. Rao serving as the first honorary Indian consul-general. His sons have carried forward this legacy, with Harish excelling in business and Ranjit making strides in the medical field as a urologist
More than five decades after the family’s arrival, the Rao Family Bursary has become an essential source of financial relief for Indian students at the University of Melbourne. Many recipients have expressed how the bursary lifted a significant weight, allowing them to focus on their studies without the pressure of exhaustive work hours. For some, it has provided stability, such as safe and secure accommodation, especially beneficial to female students navigating transitional stages in a new country. As PhD researcher Nishtha Tewari noted, “The bursary offered crucial stability and support during transitional periods, making my journey in Melbourne smoother.”
Recipients frequently describe the bursary’s impact as transformative, inspiring some, like Master of Marketing Communications student Javesh Juneja, to “pay it forward” by assisting future students. The program’s influence resonates with individuals like Mohammed Faisal, a Master of Construction Management alumnus, who shared how the financial support enabled him to pursue his dreams without placing undue financial strain on his family.
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