*A LIFETIME OF HEALING, A LEGACY OF SEVA- Dr. G.V.S. Rao — The Physician Who Took Sri Sathya Sai’s Healing Touch to the Needy*

Visakhaptnam: Indian News Times:The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra Pradesh, mourn with profound sorrow the passing away of Dr. G.V.S. Rao garu, a distinguished physician, dedicated Sai sevak and an extraordinary servant of humanity, who breathed his last during the night at Visakhapatnam following age-related health issues.

Born on 25 July 1941, Dr. Rao garu leaves behind two daughters and a son. His last rites were performed today in Visakhapatnam. A sea of devotees, doctors, nurses, paramedical personnel of the Sri Sathya Sai Medical Centre and members of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations gathered to pay their final respects to a noble soul who had dedicated virtually his entire life to the healing of the sick and the service of the poor and needy.

In a final act that beautifully reflected the spirit in which he lived, Dr. G.V.S. Rao garu’s eyes were donated to the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, enabling the light of life to continue through others even after his physical departure. His passing has thus become yet another expression of his lifelong commitment to serving humanity.

A Physician Who Made Seva His Life*Dr. GVS Rao was a graduate of Andhra Medical College, where he completed his MBBS in 1964 and his postgraduate qualification in General Medicine in 1966. He subsequently obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Administration from CMC Vellore and also became a Certified Internal Auditor for NABH. His professional career was marked by distinguished responsibilities in leading medical institutions and hospitals in Visakhapatnam. 

But beyondhisprofessionalaccomplishments, it was seva that became the defining purpose of his life.Dr. Rao garu began his Sri Sathya Sai seva in 1984 and served for decades as a guiding force behind Sri Sathya Sai medical services. The official nomination document submitted by the Visakhapatnam District Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation records that his commitment, dedication, guidance and support helped the free integrated medical camps and various medical services reach new heights. It aptly describes him as one who had “surrendered his life to Swamy and Medical Services.” 

*For his outstanding contribution in rendering exemplary medical seva to thousands of needy people, particularly in rural and tribal communities, Dr. G.V.S. Rao garu was honoured with the prestigious National level Dhanwantari Award at the national level by Sri R.J. Rathnakar, Managing Trustee, and the other Trustees of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust in Puttaparthi in the year 2017*.

Healing the UnreachedFor decades, Dr. Rao garu worked tirelessly to take healthcare far beyond the walls of hospitals and cities.

He led and participated in hundreds of free integrated mobile medical camps, eye camps and surgeries, TB eradication programmes, leprosy-home seva, emergency medical services during natural calamities, medical services for schoolchildren and numerous other healthcare initiatives undertaken by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations.

His greatest satisfaction lay in reaching those who were often beyond the reach of conventional healthcare—the poor, the underprivileged and families living in remote rural and tribal villages of Andhra Pradesh.

His service was not confined to organised camps. Even from his residence in Sector-1, MVP Colony, Visakhapatnam, Dr. Rao garu regularly extended free medical consultation and treatment to needy people who came seeking his help.

A Doctor at the Service of Sai*Dr. GVS Rao garu served as the Convener of Sri Sathya Sai Medical Services, Visakhapatnam District, from 1984 and continued guiding the medical seva till his last breadth. At Sri Sathya Sai Prema Sadan Mandir, MVP Colony, he treated thousands of patients along with senior doctors during the regular medical service conducted every Thursday and Sunday*.

*He was also entrusted with important responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and served as the COVID Ward In-charge at Seven Hills Hospital, Visakhapatnam, standing beside patients and medical teams during one of the most difficult periods in recent medical history*.

His professional career itself spanned more than six decades. He served in senior medical and administrative positions, including at Visakhapatnam Port Trust Hospital, Maharaja Institute of Medical Services, CARE Hospital and Seven Hills Hospital, where he carried responsibilities ranging from medical administration and quality standards to training doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel. 

A Life Blessed by BhagawanDr. Rao garu’s relationship with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was deeply personal and spiritual. He was blessed by Bhagawan at Prasanthi Nilayam, and in February 1996, Bhagawan blessed him by creating Vibhuthi for him and lovingly cautioned him to “be careful for health.” 

For a man who spent his life caring for the health of others, those words remain a poignant and deeply cherished memory.

*Tributes to a Noble Soul*Expressing their profound grief and condolences, Sri SG Chalam, Admin Officer, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Puttaparthi; Sri R. Lakshmana Rao, State President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra Pradesh; Sri PRSN Naidu, District President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Vizag; and Sri VR Nageswara Rao, former District President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Vizag, said that Dr. G.V.S. Rao garu’s outstanding medical guidance and selfless service for more than five decades would always be remembered with the highest respect and gratitude.

They recalled that Dr. Rao garu was not merely a doctor who treated patients, but a doctor who treated service itself as a sacred duty.

His life demonstrated that medicine becomes truly meaningful when it reaches the person who cannot afford it, the village that has no easy access to healthcare, the tribal family living in a remote corner and the suffering individual who comes seeking hope.

Dr. G.V.S. Rao garu may have laid down his stethoscope, but the healing touch of his life will continue to live on—in the countless lives he touched, in the thousands he served, in the doctors and volunteers he inspired, and now even in the gift of sight he has left behind.

For the devotees of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, his departure is an irreparable loss.

*Dr garu treated me at MVP Colony  Satya Sai hospital twice .I pray to god RIP

                  * K.V.SHARMA EDITOR