He worked as a waiter to become a teacher

Prof KR Nayak has literally fought every sort of battle that one can imagine — be it against abject poverty during his childhood or juggling between his higher studies and the demanding job of a bus conductor with the erstwhile Bangalore Transport Service (BTS). But nothing could deter him from realising his cherished dream of becoming a teacher.

This retired professor of Vijaya College is still wedded to his profession. He now helps underprivileged children get formal education, a right he himself was denied once.

  At 70, Prof Nayak is providing free education and job counselling for underprivileged children.

On this World Teachers’ Day, which is being observed today, Prof Nayak’s journey is an inspiration for the teaching fraternity. “Every child has the right to go to school and get education. I myself was a child labourer and worked as a hotel waiter. I know what kids who work undergo,” said Nayak.

“I went through all those hardships only to complete my education and become a teacher. Now, after my retirement, I teach some underprivileged children at my home. I also give career counselling for poor kids,” he said.

A native of Perdur village in Udupi district, Prof Nayak abandoned his studies due to poverty. He came to Bangalore as a teenager and worked as a waiter. 

Nayak also enrolled as a private candidate at RKS High School where he cleared his SSLC. 

“I managed to get a job as a bus conductor and finish my PUC, BCom, MCom and LLB courses with good marks. Life was tough but I was determined to change it,” he said.

He was promoted to the rank of an official by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) after he completed his post-graduation. In 1972, he joined Vijaya Evening College as a lecturer in the department of commerce.

After holding several reputed positions in the college, he retired as the head of the department of commerce. He has also written several books on commerce and accountancy.

“Teaching was a passion for me and money was just a means of survival,” he said. “During my term in the college, along with one of my colleagues I got an offer from Harvard University, US. My friend took the offer. I decided to stay back and do whatever I could to improve the lives of children here,” said Prof Nayak who was awarded with the president’s medal for his work in the field of education.