Rajhmundary, October 25: The computer is his virtual link to the world outside the home. Rendered bedridden by a freak accident for the last two decades, Chitrapu Surya Srinivas (42) has had no patience with those inclined to pity his condition. He has mastered computer programming and web design and is happiest sharing his knowledge with youngsters, especially underprivileged ones.
A brilliant student, Srinivas, who bagged many prizes in his school and college days, completed his B Tech in civil engineering from the Koneru Lakshmiah College of Engineering in 1989.
He was also a good cricketer and footballer.
But 11 October 1989 brought his world crashing down when he fell from the terrace of a building while flying a kite. He has been paralysed waste down for two decades now.
In the beginning, he used to operate the computer by placing the mouse on his chest. Now he is eased into a wheelchair by his parents and then he gets down to work. ‘‘No sympathy please! I help poor students wishing to learn computer programmes, especially animation, as they cannot afford the huge amounts charged by coaching institutes,’’ says a confident Srinivas. It was in 1992 that he took to computers and soon mastered the subject. A simulation project submitted to the Eastern Railways is being used to train loco drivers. And he has offered web design and animation programmes to TV channels.
A good writer, Srinivas has contributed hundreds of articles to computer magazines since 1997 and has written a book on computers for B.Ed students.
Recently, he authored a book on MS Office along with a CD. These are to be released in a week.
Srinivas’s father Guru Raja Rao, an advocate and Bar Association president, is a constant source of encouragement and his mother, Bhanumathi, takes care of his various needs.
–Agencies