The Founder
Padala Surya Prasad
The founder of PCT, Padala Surya Prasad, hails from a lower middle-class family in rural India. His father was a small- time tailor and mother used to run a small grocery shop. He considers himself as a product of the scholarship program he received from BREAD Society - North South Foundation, India.
Despite securing top ranks in 10th class, Intermediate and Engineering Entrance Examination (EAMCET) it was not feasible for him to get into an Engineering College due to lack of finance. His villagers did some fundraising through a benefit show to help him financially. But this was not Sufficient to get into an Engineering College.
At this Critical junction of his life, the Scholarship he received from NSF propelled him to complete his B.Tech. These encounters of humanity and generosity that came by in his life, touched and changed him to his core.
He went on to complete M.Tech in IIT, Kharagpur and worked for 16 years in USA as a software consultant. In 2002, he established Padala Charitable Trust. After a decade of running activities from abroad, he quit his job and moved back to India in 2012 to dedicate his full time to PCT.
His strong belief in “Paying It Forward” has been the driving force that made him return to India. He is instrumental in the design and implementation of several projects to help students mainly in the areas of career guidance, life skills, communication skills, social responsibility and personal hygiene in young women.
My state ranks, certificates and medals did not make any sense to anyone except to NSF. I can still recall the day in 1990 when my father said “Forget about your state ranks and your dream of engineering graduation. We just can’t afford those expensive careers, You may sit with me and I promise I will make you a better tailor than me in this village.”
I was helpless and waiting for a miracle to happen to help me continue my graduation. My engineering tuition fee (Rs. 10,000 /$250 per year) for next four years was way expensive for my family. My passion was to continue my higher education and make a difference to my family and to the society.
