Telangana Excise Inspector Leads A Silent Revolution

Kotte Edukondalu, an Excise Inspector in Telangana, is not known to many in the state but he is leading a silent revolution by transforming youth into productive employees and responsible citizens. He is providing free coaching to as many as 10 lakh youth to make them self-sustaining individuals.

Edukondalu teaches 13 subjects single-handedly, all for free. Though the youth aspire to secure government jobs, Edukondalu stresses there is a need to have Plan B. Some can become government servants, while others may go as entrepreneurs and some into farming. 

He launched the initiative in 2015 with just 32 students in a rented room but now, it has expanded and it is a huge network of 10 lakh aspirants, from both the Telugu states. The first batch achieved 100 per cent success and more students knew of Edukondalu. He spends nearly 40 per cent of his own salary to sustain his mission.

Balancing a highly demanding job with his educational mission, Edukondalu sustained for more than a decade. Recalling his service in the jail department, he said that period taught him 90 per cent of crimes aren’t committed by hardcore criminals but by people lacking guidance and unable to control their emotions during crisis. Then he understood that right mentorship and resources at the right time can prevent crime and build a better society.

With this realization dawning upon him, Edukondalu set out on the mission to transform the students through proper support. The 13 subjects he teaches include Geography, ethics, history, disaster management but they keep merging with one another making it easier for the students to retain the information.

The information is made concise so that the students do not get overwhelmed. It is not just academics all the time. The students are even allowed to play, to keep the youth away from drugs and bad influences. The joy of giving is inculcated through blood donation.

Edukondalu proudly says his only vision is a self-sustaining cycle of goodness. Just as I have taught my students, I want each of them to help just 10 others so that the movement does not break.

At the same time, he says he is available to all at his Malkajgiri for offline classes, where he has rented a single-bedroom apartment. His classes are available through YouTube channel, Google Meet sessions also and he is ready to extend help to anyone approaching him.