MELBOURNE, 7 September 2024: Dr. T. Janardhana Rao, prominent surgeon and India’s first Hon. Consul General, who passed away on 25 August, 2024, was today given a fitting memorial service by family and friends.
The program took place at the Malvern Town Hall, which was packed by family members, diplomats, politicians, community members and friends. Dr. Rao was the Hon. Consul General of India in Victoria for 25 years and held the post till 2006 when the Indian government appointed a regular diplomat as the Consul General in 2006.
The gathering addressed by Steve Manallack (welcome & introduction), his daughter in law, Kanchana Rao, daughter in law Monica Pahuja, sons, Harish and Ranjit Rao, , grand children, Devrath and Samika Rao, and the former Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu, detailed. The speakers celebrated his life as a migrant, his roots, being the Hon. Consul General and a friend of the community.
Among those present were former Victoria Premier Jeff Kennett and India’s current Counsel General Dr. Sushil Kumar.
His contribution in setting and organising the Indian community was also mentioned. He was instrumental in setting up of the Australia India Society of Victoria (AISV) and the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV).
I interviewed Dr. T. J. Rao, at his Toorak residence before the launch of his book “A Surgeon & Consul General – A Migrant Experience” on 15th August, 2013. The interview was published in the hard copy of the South Asia Times (SAT) in the July, 2003 issue.
In one of his answers he described about his reluctance to become the Counsel. He said, ” In fact, I had no intention of becoming the Consul. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who was on a visit to Australia, offered me the Hon. post at the airport. I said, thank you. My family was against it.”
The interview is interesting, revealing and gives many insights into the happenings in Melbourne during his tenure. Soon it will be re-published.
