Telugu teacher turns Santa Claus to spread anti-drug message in Medak

A Telugu teacher from Suryapet dressed up as Santa Claus at Medak Cathedral Church on Christmas Day to spread awareness among youth about the dangers of drugs, tobacco and liquor, urging them to stay focused and lead a healthy life.

Medak: Santa Claus is known for bringing gifts for children during Christmas. However, Santa Claus here brought a good message to the devotees, particularly to the youth, who arrived at Medak Cathedral church to offer prayers on Christmas day.

Meet the Telugu teacher Rachakonda Prabhakar from ZPHS Gorantla of Suryapet district, who dressed as Santa Claus and sought to impress upon the church goers to shun bad habits. Prabhakar, who lost his best friend to throat cancer after he was addicted to smoking, decided to spread awareness among the people on the ill-effects of drugs, tobacco and liquor.

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Whenever he gets leisure time, Prabhakar visits busy places such as markets, jatharas, meeting places and other mass religious congregations to educate people. Holding a loudspeaker in one hand, he delivers lectures on the need to stay away from these bad habits. Prabhakar, a postgraduate from Osmania University, also distributes pamphlets carrying messages on the ill-effects of drugs.

Speaking to Telangana Today, the Telugu teacher lamented that ganja has reached every nook and corner even in rural parts of Telangana. Suggesting the youngsters to set a goal early in their life, Prabhakar called upon them to achieve the goal with all-out efforts. “That is the only way you could give something back to your parents,” he said.

Impressed by the campaign of Prabhakar, Medak SP DV Srinivas Rao and other police officials also interacted with him on the premises of the church and posed for a picture with him. Appreciating his efforts, Srinivas Rao called upon the youth to follow his words to taste success in their life. Prabhakar also went on a cycle yatra across the 10 districts of Telangana as part of his anti-drugs campaign. The teacher said that he does not want to see any man losing his life to cancer like his friend. He has become a special attraction on the premises of Medak church on Thursday.