MM Rao or Manduri Mohan Rao or Manduri Mohan Rao Choudhary as he liked to call himself was a product of SS Korukonda. He hails from Chilakaluripeta near Guntur in AP, where his family-owned tobacco crop growing fields. Thus he had been initiated into the delights of smoking early in his youth. Smoke signals emanated from his cabin window at the NDA. Cool as a cucumber one can’t think of him ever harming the proverbial fly. He had despite the tobacco usage, the stamina of the horses he used to ride. Thus 'Ghoda' ran the cross country like a thoroughbred pedigree long distance runner.

While at NDA, often on punishment despite being OG he didn’t let it faze him. The only hurdle he faced was English. TS Ramanujam was his unofficial English language mentor. And once having passed his English test he said to Ramu " Thanks, you have saved me from the 'Shame and Thrall'-," a phrase from one of the poems in the syllabus. Being the course Boodha in Golf Squadron, he exhibited all the traits of an elder man. He was an expert horse rider who had honed his riding skills at Korukonda. Got a riding Blazer at NDA.

 

Courage and kindness were the hallmarks of MM Rao’s character. MM Rao was a fearless man all throughout his life. This fearlessness marked his life right from his school days till his very end. He displayed exemplary courage in almost everything that he did, particularly while on horseback at school, during tent pegging or while jumping his horse through a ring of fire. He displayed the same courage while driving his motor cycle or car later in life.

Post NDA, while undergoing flying training at EFS Bidar, he fell ill and had to be hospitalized. When he recovered and came back, the course was on the verge of completion. He fell victim to 'complete the task' syndrome and had to join the logistics course. After commissioning as a logistics officer, he served with distinction at various units and HQs. As a Pilot Officer (Logistics Officer) at KKD, when most of his course mates were under tremendous pressures of MOFTU he was a cool cat helping us out off flying time. He was SLO at Surya Lanka Base in late Eighties where he got married to Ratna.

Later on in early Nineties, He served at AIR HQ when his course mates like Subbi and Anumolu, were Struggling in Air HQ Comn Sqn. His health took a turn for the worse while he was at Jaisalmer. He recovered and finally retired and settled down at Secunderabad at AFNHB colony near Tank Bund.

 

The smoking had taken its toll and he passed away last year. He is survived by his wife and son. He was generous and a gentleman and a good friend to those he came across. Even the cruellest hand of fate did not deprive him of his courage or the everlasting smile on his face. Even in the worst of times, he never talked of his problems and was everready to help anybody in need. Many of his friends from Airforce, his class, his school, his village and even total strangers were recipients of his kindness. When MM Rao bid farewell to all of us for the last time, we lost a good human being and a dear friend.

Penned with inputs from Benipuri, Anumolu and Battish.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏