This 79-Year-Old Retired Teacher Bal Reddy Sir Still Teaches for Free in a Telangana Govt School

In an age where many dream of leisurely retirement and long cups of chai by the verandah, one man from Telangana refuses to leave his chalk. Picture this: a 79-year-old sir, riding pillion on a bike every morning, not for a temple darshan or a market stroll — but to teach in a rural government school, without charging a single rupee. It sounds like the plot of an emotional Bollywood film, doesn’t it? But this is no reel story — this is real life. This is Bal Reddy Sir, and his story is one of unstoppable passion, old-school values, and a heart that beats only for education.

Life After Retirement

Born in the humble village of Tigul in Jagadevpur Mandal, Bal Reddy’s early life was marked by hardship. In the 1960s, when even Rs. 7.50 paise was hard to come by; he and his family — his mother and sister — toiled as labourers just to afford his school fees. That didn’t stop him. Instead, it fired up a dream, one that would evolve into a lifelong mission. In 1970, he became a teacher, and for 35 years, he served across various government schools in Telangana. When he finally retired in 2004, Bal Reddy did the unthinkable — he took just one day off. Not a vacation, not a break — ek din! Because he realised something most of us take decades to understand: retirement might end a job, but it doesn’t end a purpose.

Initially, he tried his hand at teaching in a private school, but the rigid system and lack of connection with students didn’t sit right with him. That’s when destiny knocked in the form of Sathaiah, a colleague from a government school in Tigul. It was a full-circle moment — Bal Reddy was invited to teach in the same school where he’d once studied as a child. And since 2017, he has been teaching there voluntarily, without taking even a single rupee as salary. He focuses on students who are lagging behind — those who can’t afford tuition or grasp concepts in the regular classroom chaos. His method? Simple, compassionate, and infused with decades of experience and desi wisdom.

But wait — this isn’t just a tale of noble intent. This man had heart surgery 10 years ago. Guess how long his recovery break was? Just one month. Then he was back in the classroom, chalk in hand, correcting spellings, solving maths problems, and sharing stories that textbooks don’t cover. He travels 12 km daily from Gajwel to Tigul, often on Sathaiah’s bike, just to ensure that no child in his village is left behind. “Main jab tak zinda hoon, padhaata rahoonga,” he told Telangana Today. And we believe him.

From Rs. 150 as his first salary to Rs. 15,000 at the time of retirement, Bal Reddy now draws a pension of Rs. 70,000 — more than enough, he says, to live peacefully. So instead of turning tuition into a side hustle like many retired professionals, he turned it into seva. He even inspired his only son to become a teacher and his younger brother to work as a hostel warden — truly, education runs in the Reddy bloodline.

What makes Bal Reddy Sir’s journey so unique isn’t just the longevity or selflessness, but the sheer consistency. He doesn’t just show up — he transforms classrooms. Students who once struggled to read are now topping subjects. His quiet determination is the kind of inspiration that doesn’t come with hashtags or viral videos — but stays in your heart long after the screen is off.

Why Bal Reddy Sir is a legend

In a world full of influencers and Instagram reels, it’s legends like Bal Reddy Sir who remind us what true impact looks like. His story isn't just inspiring — it's revolutionary. Imagine a nation where every retired teacher gives back like this. Imagine a generation empowered not by gadgets, but by wisdom passed down from passionate gurus. If you believe in the power of education, in the quiet strength of our elders, and in making the world a better place — share Bal Reddy’s story. Because this man isn’t just teaching students. He’s teaching all of us what it means to truly live for others.