Photo courtesy: Rons Bantrwal
Profile: Dinesh Correa
Interviewed by: Walter Nandalike

'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.

Dayanand Nayak is the youngest to be born to Badda Nayak and Radha Nayak, in Ennehole near Miyar in Karkala - a village where education meant only schools up to standard 7. Dreams beyond that were tracked to bigger cities like Bangalore and Mumbai. Daya, as he was fondly called then, and now kindly by friends and foes alike, dreamt of making it big in Mumbai.

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.

 
Daya Nayak with Walter Nandalike Editor-in-Chief of daijiworld.com

I had the opportunity of meeting this slim-looking, dashing and down-to-earth person - a great personality called Daya Nayak, during my recent visit to Mumbai. Rons Bantwal, daijiworld's Mumbai correspondent, introduced me to this star personality on January 4.  Earlier, when I introduced myself to Daya over the phone, I was simply stunned to hear his courteous voice.  'Hello Walter; I have heard a lot about you.  In fact I am a regular surfer of daijiworld.com!' were his words, which were quite stunning to hear.  I never expected such a chivalrous answer from such a great personality. Getting personal with this gentleman was like self-attainment.  A memorable meeting.
 
I took some time to have an interview Daya Nayak for daijiworld readers and to know more about him and his achievements.
 
Q: Congratulations on achieving this year's Karnataka Rajyotsava award. We are proud of your achievement.

A: Thank you very much. Even though I have always been serving the Mumbai police, I am extremely happy that the Karnataka government has recognized an out-of-the-state Kannadiga for this award. Believe me, this is one of the most gratifying moments of my life.