In 1996, amidst the plush forests of Karnataka’s Malnad area in Shivamogga district, a younger Ranganath Okay joined 35 classmates from his authorities faculty for a reptile conservation trek. What started as an academic outing reworked right into a lifelong mission for Ranganath, now 44, a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Company (BMTC) bus driver and devoted snake rescuer. Over the previous three a long time, he has saved 4,552 venomous and non-venomous reptiles, incomes him widespread admiration. On Might 19, 2025, Ranganath made his first worldwide flight to Malaysia to obtain his second honorary doctorate from American Knowledge Peace College, a testomony to his extraordinary contributions.
Born right into a farming household, Ranganath, the eldest amongst three kids, was enrolled in a authorities faculty whereas his siblings attended non-public establishments. Ranganath was tasked with family chores like working within the fields and tending cattle. His life pivoted in 1996, whereas he was in Class 9, when an American household visited Sagara, Shivamogga, to analysis the area’s evergreen forests and have interaction native individuals in reptile conservation. Ranganath and his classmates volunteered for the trek. “I used to be frightened of all the pieces — any animal would ship me operating,” he remembers. “However that trek modified me. The People taught us about reptile conservation, snake identification, and protected dealing with, sparking a ardour I didn’t know I had,” Ranganath says.
This expertise ignited a lifelong dedication to rescuing reptiles. After finishing his SSLC (Class 10), Ranganath pursued a pre-university course at Sacred Coronary heart PU Faculty in Shivamogga, adopted by a two-year industrial coaching programme at Sri Jagadguru Panchacharya Industrial Institute. Throughout this time, he donated blood 33 instances, as soon as skipping an examination to save lots of a lady’s life. Fearing his household’s disapproval, he fled to Bengaluru with Rs 1,000 and 20 kg of rice from his father, searching for a contemporary begin.
Ranganath secured a job as a BMTC driver in 2011.
In Bengaluru, Ranganath took up menial jobs—cleansing public bathrooms, clearing drains, and accumulating rubbish—to outlive.
He married in 2008, welcomed his first son in 2010, and secured a job as a BMTC driver in 2011. Stationed at Depot 32 within the North West zone, he operates the 242JA bus route between Ganakal and Shivajinagar, protecting over 8 lakh kilometers in 14 years. Identified affectionately as “Ranganna” by passengers, he’s a form but agency determine, reprimanding college students for unsafe behaviour like standing on the bus footboard or disrespecting ladies. “From corporators to MLAs, I’ve pushed all of them,” he says with delight.
Ranganath by no means rescues snakes throughout his driving shifts, reserving such efforts for nighttime calls. He recounts a harrowing incident: “A water snake had entered a cattle shed. As I attempted to catch it, it slipped onto a cow. I grabbed it simply earlier than it may chunk the animal, however it struck my hand. Fortunately, it was non-venomous.” Such dangerous rescues are routine for him.
A 3-month hiatus from snake rescuing, prompted by his household’s superstitious considerations, led to monetary pressure and shortage at dwelling. “We even ran out of rice,” he says. “I realised then that this work is my calling, a divine blessing,” says Ranganath. He expenses nothing for rescues, although some supply small sums for gasoline.
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Skilled in conventional medication, he additionally mentors his second son, a Class 8 scholar, in these practices again in Sagara. His recommendation for encountering a reptile? “Keep calm and nonetheless. Snakes are shy—they solely react to motion or vibrations. Simply wait, they usually’ll retreat.”
His life’s philosophy is equally simple: “I need to earn individuals’s love, not cash. I need to be remembered for my service and character lengthy after I’m gone.”
Ranganath’s dedication has earned him accolades, together with the Kannada Seva Ratna Award, the Kannada Rajyotsava Award, and an honorary doctorate from Asia Worldwide Tradition Analysis College for his experience in reptile conservation.
