Late Shri Chowdary Chatwaji Rao Ghodkar (Ghodkari)

II Jai Shri Ram II Late Shri Chowdhary Chatwaji Rao Ghodkar (Ghodkari) * - (స్వ. శ్రీ చౌదరి ఛట్వాజీ రావు ఘోడ్‌కర్/ स्व.श्री चौधरी छठ्वाजी राव घोड़कर) : The late Shri Chowdhary Chatwaji Rao Ghodkar was a prominent enterpreneur and wrestler from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was a deeply respected and revered figure who belonged to Hindu Khatik Samaj, also known as the Suryawanshi Arya/Are-Katika caste (Pronounced : Aare Katika in Telugu) in Kurnool, AP. Shri Chatwaji Rao was a Ram Bhaktha. Born around 1910 to Shri Nannhe Bhai and Smt. Peerma Bai, he rose above the reprobate challenges around him with tremendous courage and through his unwavering commitment to moral values, integrity and faith in God. Known for his helpful disposition, Shri Chatwaji Rao was a considerate and caring employer, earning the heartfelt admiration of his workers in his grain kiln. He was the pioneer in establishing the business of puffed rice (murmura) in the Kurnool District. His kindness extended far beyond his business life, impacting many within his extended family and community. A generous philanthropist, he financially contributed to the marriages of underprivileged girls in his extended family and helped secure employment for the unskilled and marginally educated children of his remote relations. He exemplified forgiveness and humility—often attending the funerals of even those who had wronged him, and personally covering related expenses when needed. Shri Chatwaji Rao stood for moral conduct dissuading all forms of impropriety in the society. Through his principles and actions, he exemplified the essence of a true reformer. He played a pivotal role in unifying the Khatik Samaj in Kurnool and was instrumental in organizing Hindu pilgrimage yatras ( to Gokarna, Rameshwaram and other holy places), promoting cultural and spiritual unity. His honesty and principled demeanor earned him great respect among the local mercantile community, who were inspired by his rectitude. In recognition of his enduring service to the community, Shri Chatwaji Rao was honored and felicitated by the Are-Katika Sangham, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was also a generous contributor to the construction of the Saibaba Temple at Kalasipalya, Bangalore, reflecting his devotional spirit and community values. Shri Chatwaji Rao was married to Smt. Ratna Bai, a hardworking and devoted life partner. Though himself just only functionally literate, through sheer determination—by selling puffed rice on the roadside—he ensured that his children received higher education, leading them to distinguished careers. His son, Shri Maloji Rao Ghodkar (B.Sc; LL.M ), is a respected Advocate and legal expert, and his other son, the late Dr. Ghodkari Mallikarjuna Rao, MS, served with distinction as a Civil Surgeon at the Kurnool General Hospital, he was member of Lion's Club, Kurnool and life member of ISKCON. Dr.Mallikarjuna Rao was also member of Andhra Medical Council, The Association of Surgeons of India and Indian Medical Association respectively. He was subscriber to the NGO HelpAge India. He was the lead author of the research papers, namely 'Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Submandibular Salivary Gland', in the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02974315 ) and 'Cystic Hygroma of the Chest Wall', in the Indian Journal of the Thoracic and Cardio Vascular Surgery (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12055-004-0053-4). Dr. Mallikarjuna Rao also held a faculty position at Malla Reddy Narayana Multi-speciality Hospital, Hyderabad. Shri Maloji Rao a NCC cadet in his school days is alumnus of S.V.University and Osmania University. Shri Maloji Rao’s legal expertise played a key role in inviting Solicitor General of India Shri G.E. Vahanvati and Additional Solicitor General of India Shri Amarendra Sharan, to appear before the AP High Court for APIIC bringing about landmark judgements—an important milestone in the undivided Andhra Pradesh state’s legal history. His work has been widely commended by eminent persons including senior bureaucrats like Mr. D.S. Arora, Mr. Saldanha, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan (Founder and President, Lok Satta Party), Mr. Shashank Goel, Mr. B.P. Acharya and others and also by Senior Advocates like Mr. Subba Rao, Mr. Guntur Prabhakar ( Supreme Court, New Delhi) and by Justice Ramesh Ranganathan (former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court) and other illustrious people. Furthermore, Shri K. Rosaiah, former Chief Minister, acknowledged the proficiency of the legal team of APIIC headed by Shri Maloji Rao as the Chief General Manager (Law). In 1990s driven by concern for families with children with mental retardation, he wrote to the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, (who later became Prime Minister of India) petitioning income tax deductions for families with children with mental retardation, his appeal was mentioned in Parliament by Shri. Vajpayee and was pursued by the government of the day. Shri. Maloji Rao was also legal advisor to Akhanda Sai Naam Saptaha Samiti, Malkajgiri and to Tirumala Shirdi Estate, Midhani. He is legal advisor to TGIIC And APIIC Employees Welfare Trust. He offered legal help to many individuals Pro Bono. Shri Maloji Rao is a devotee of H.H. Kanchi Shankaracharya Jagadguru Shri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati Swami (Paramacharya), Swami Vivekananda and Shirdi Sai Baba. He authored an article named Innermost Soul, in Shri Sai Leela Magazine, August 1989, Volume 68, No. 5, pointing to the common thread running through the various faith paths(https://share.google/nXsk83G6QsHMEOoIq). He visited many holy places in India and also undertook padayatra from Hyderabad to the holy Ganagapur ( K.A. State ), the sacred place of Lord Dattatreya from Hyderabad. While working in Vijayawada, AP, Shri Maloji Rao got an opportunity to receive the blessings of H.H. Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamy. He also received blessings of Brahmaleen Sri Ranganathananda Swami of Ramakrishna Matth and many other Sadhu Sants as well. He is also Life Member of ISKCON Bangalore (he had got a good fortune to be born on Gaura Poornima) and donor to many Hindu Temples, Gau shalas and to many other pious social causes reflecting the spiritual & sewa values imbibed from his father. Inspired by his father's life Shri Maloji Rao despite adverse & daunting challenges both in the personal life and in the work place remained steadfast in his commitment to duty and moral conduct. The Congress Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR), shared a close bond with Shri Chatwaji Rao and relied on his goodwill and influence to earn the trust and votes of the Hindu Are-Katika community from the Bandimetta area of Kurnool Town. His friends included esteemed persons like Shri Ayyanna Ji well known Ayurvedic Practitioner in the Kurnool Town ( F/o Dr. Moulaiah, GCIM), Shri Kattakarakaiyya, noted business person and other respected individuals. Shri Chatwaji Rao passed away on 20.8.1994, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire future generations. His life is a powerful testament for hardwork, humility, selfless service, moral upstanding and devotion to God. Jai Shri Ram. "A life well lived leaves its legacy in the lives it made better." Source: Arya/ Are-Katika Sangham, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India. * The surnames Ghodkar and Ghodkari are one and the same and are interchangeably used.