“My day starts early with Karate classes, followed by managing the kirana shop, and then taking customers in between as I also work as a Rapido rider. It’s a packed schedule, but I’ve never been one to sit idle.
Growing up, I watched my father handle both a kirana shop and a small hotel. He was always helping people, even when we had our own struggles. I never understood it back then. Why put others first when we had our own worries? But when I took over the shop, I realised—this wasn’t just about business. It was about people trusting you, knowing you’ll be there when they need something.
A few years ago, I expanded into wholesale, thinking it would help us grow. But for almost two years, I didn’t realise how much we were losing. By the time I did, we had already lost a lot of money. I felt like everything was slipping away. But my wife stood by me. She had even sold her jewellery to help us manage. My father always said, money comes and goes. You just have to keep moving forward. So I did. I worked extra hours, managed whatever I could, and over time, we cleared everything.
In the middle of all this, I returned to martial arts training. I’ve been a black belt for years, but life had pulled me away from it. When I started teaching Karate and Kung fu, I realised how much it meant to me. Especially training kids who couldn’t afford it. Some of them have gone on to compete at national levels, and that keeps me motivated.
Beyond work, I also take time to volunteer. I’ve been actively involved in food distribution, blood donation camps, and animal welfare.
Now, I teach Karate at Nrupatunga Group of Institutions in the mornings and train at Health League Self-Defense Camp. We also started a Karate facility at Decathlon, Secunderabad, under Japan Karate Association Telangana, where I train students on weekends.
Between all these roles—teacher, shop owner, rider, and volunteer—I’ve realised that hard work never goes unnoticed. The struggles I once feared are now the reason I keep pushing forward. Every ride, every lesson is a reminder that no matter where life takes you, as long as you keep moving, you’ll always find a way.”
— Damodar Nayak, Karate Trainer