“I grew up watching my father help others financially, and I would often scold him, telling him to focus on himself. But years later, after inheriting his business, I made a few wrong decisions, and everything fell apart. During those tough times, many people came forward to support us, without expecting anything in return. My father was my biggest pillar of strength. He never stopped believing in me. He’d always remind me, ‘Money comes and goes, but hope and persistence are what truly matters.’
We started rebuilding our lives from scratch. We moved from our small town of Shimoga to Hyderabad, driven by my father’s belief that, ‘Even if we lose money, we can always earn it back.’ Despite facing financial struggles, my wife stood by me through everything. She even sold her jewelry to help keep us afloat. No matter how hard things got, I refused to give up.
That’s when I turned back to my true passion—Karate and martial arts. It wasn’t just a way to find financial stability but a way to regain my confidence. Back in high school, I had walked from the Old City to Ramanthapur just to attend martial arts classes because I couldn’t afford the bus fare. That dedication stayed with me, and I knew I had to keep going.
As I transitioned into teaching Karate, I noticed many talented students couldn’t afford lessons. I didn’t want them to miss out on their potential because of financial problems, so I continued teaching them, even if they couldn’t pay. Today, many of my students have gone on to compete in district and national championships, and I’m incredibly proud of their achievements.
On this Teacher’s Day, I feel especially grateful for the opportunity to guide and mentor my students. I train students at the Health League Playground in Sultan Bazaar and Karnataka Sahitya Mandira. While I have my own financial responsibilities, I can’t stand by and watch a child give up on their passion because of money. If any student has had to stop Karate due to financial difficulties, I’m more than willing to help them continue. I see a reflection of myself in each of them, and I’m committed to making it happen.”
- Damodar Nayak, Karate Trainer