“Either I clean them, or they will clean me, My duty is the most important thing for me .I am ready to sacrifice my life for the country” said encounter specialist Daya Nayak. He was speaking at the inauguration of ‘TRIGGER’, the gaming zone at manipal.”Though 8 bullets have pierced my body, I am still not afraid. Nor am I scared about fake allegations. My conscience is clear and I am loyal to my duty” he added.
Encounter Dayanayak gave an exclusive interview to NM Editor & Special correspondent Errol Gonsalves .Here is a short introduction and a few glimpses of their conversation
About Daya
‘Encounter Daya Nayak’ is a name popular not only in India but in many parts of the world. The 35-year-old, India’s high-profile police officer who was born in Ennehole in Karkala Taluk is a nightmare for Mumbai’s crime world, especially the underworld. What began as an adventurous escapade in the very first year of posting, was to land him in the coveted and much-envied post of “encounter specialist”. A New Year’s bash encounter where two wanted criminals were shot dead became the benchmark of his career. The tally has gone up to 85 since then, and is still ticking upwards. Bollywood directors like Ram Gopal Verma and N Chandra, inspired by his real-life heroics, are turning it into celluloid. Two under-production, star-studded films, ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’ and ‘Kagar’, directedly respectively by the aforementioned two directors, are modelled on Daya’s life and accomplishments. His home state, which revers him as a hero, has not lagged behind either and a biopic on him called ‘Daya – the Police Officer’ is being made. Indeed, Daya Nayak is known as the most-feared police officer in India.
One fine morning he landed in Mumbai with large dreams and grit and determination to achieve that, maybe even larger. And it meant doing odd and menial jobs, working in the daytime and attending night school. He did his SSC at Pahadi Municipal School, Goregaon and further graduated from CES College. Then on began the arduous task of getting into the Police force, which he managed, by topping the merit list of the annual Police recruitment examination, an achievement by any means for a non-Maharashtrian.
Soon after his training, Daya was posted at the Juhu Police Station as a Police Sub-Inspector. A dream came true when in the winter of 1996, he finally saw himself in the uniform, which he had much adored and admired as a child. An image carried forward from the 80′s blockbuster of superstar Amitabh Bachchan, whom he hero-worshipped.
Errol: Daya, do you think sports are required for fitness of a person ?
Daya: Yes ! Absolutely. In today’s busy world, the food habits have changed a lot . Walking, jogging, tennis, badminton and other sports need to be played regularly especially by the youth to maintain fitness
Errol: What is your opinion about the media today?
Daya: I have two different things to say when it comes to media ,one is today there is a tussle for position and competition among the media agencies to get reports first and publish them as soon as possible, hence nowadays there is no much research involved when it comes to news reports. Earlier when an incident happens a reporter would rush to the spot to report the event . Today they would rather prefer to use their cell phone and get information right to the desk, By doing this the personal touch and sense realness is lost
Secondly, media is giving exposure to the unexposed. Rural areas have got a platform to stage their problems and address it to the authorities. This is one of the best thing I like about the media setup today.
Errol: What’s your take on the Human Rights Commission ?
Daya: Human Rights Commission (HRC) is a essential organ of administration, It is very essential to have a effective HRC. It should dispatch its duty by punishing the violators of Human Rights.
Errol: How do you feel when you look back to your journey from Karkal to Mumbai ?
Daya: To be frank I feel scared, I have struggled, cried, suffered in the past. There are times when I slept on the footpath, Was so broke that could not afford food, I have walked barefoot, but today when I see myself I feel proud. I have not done anything wrong to attain name and fame. What I am today is purely because of my hard work
Errol: Any message to our readers ?
Daya: I wish all of you’ll a peaceful and joyous life ahead. Also convey my best wishes to your website. ( Takes card from Errol). I shall keep in touch with you. Thank You
-With inputs from internetBy : Errol Gonsalves
Picture Courtesy : Nithin Mysore
Sub-edited by Vivek Cornelio
Filed under: Uncategorized
