Balachandra P Nayak - Repaying debt to his native village
 
Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri

Moodbidri, Feb 20: These days we find very few people who have the desire and who think it fit to give back to the society from which they benefit. Just like there is an exception to every rule, we have several people from the coastal regions of Karnataka who have prospered by their determination and hard work in the gulf region and elsewhere. Fortunately some of them have not forgotten to give a helping hand to the people of their native place whenever there is an opportunity to do so.

Balachandra P Nayak, from Kodyadka Mithbail near Moodbidri, a Dubai-based businessman, is one such Good Samaritan who has made it his mission to ensure the development of Mithbailu, out of his love for the village he grew up with. One such endeavor of Nayak which has borne fruit is the opening of a full- fledged Puthige branch of Syndicate Bank here recently, a long cherished wish of the people of this village, becoming a reality.

The Puthige branch of Syndicate Bank is located in Pragathi Apartments, a 5-storey apartment constructed by Balachandra Nayak. Though the bank has been functioning for the last two months, inauguration of this apartment is scheduled for today (February 20, 2013). The inauguration will be done by Rohini P Nayak, mother of Balakrishna Nayak. With that the bank branch also would be inaugurated formally today.
 
In fact the bank had originally decided to open only a Satellite Branch (bank which works for a few hours daily) here with the minimum facility of deposits and withdrawals. But the efforts of B P Nayak have played a quintessential role in having a full-fledged branch of a nationalized bank in Mithabailu, complete with locker facility. Under the able leadership of Nayak the bank was able to get the mandatory deposits of over Rs. 3 crores, a feat which speaks volumes of the people of this village. “If the bank offers only deposits and withdrawal facility, people will have to go to Moodbidri and other places for availing other bank facilities like loans, locker facility etc., and the very purpose of opening a branch here is futile. So I insisted the bank offer locker and other facility and provide services of a full-fledged branch here”, Nayak points out.
 
There is festive mood in Mithabail since the last two days as Pragathi Apartments getting ready for inauguration. Having an apartment in this village is a novelty as apartment culture is new to this village. Naturally excitement and joyful mood is quite palpable as the apartment is decked up for inauguration. Mithabailu is a small village comprising about 1500 people is situated about 10 kms from Moodbidri. Like most rural areas this village did not have basic facilities like bank, post office, clinic, hospital etc., and people had to go to the city for their needs.
 
B P Nayak’s father late Purushotham Nayak, who was a highly respected and revered leader of Mithabail, had served as the Mandal Uppradhan of Paladka. An agriculturist by he was a visionary who had grand dreams for the well-being of his village. With his knowledge, experience and spirit of selfless service he was recognized as a leader by people irrespective of caste, creed, religion or language and people used to consult him before taking any decision concerning the developmental activities of the village. It was his idea to have a bank in Mithabailu and though he tried hard he could not succeed due to restrictions or parameters required for opening a private bank

He passed away in 1994 but his children have ensured that his dreams have seen the light of the day. “My father really made herculean efforts to get a bank to this village but could not succeed due to certain technical reasons (minimum deposit requirements). Now his vision, his dream has become a reality. I am happy I am able to fulfill my father’s wishes”, says an emotional Balachandra Nayak.
 
B P Nayak, who had completed his high school from Mithabail, had left for Mumbai soon after. Having worked in Mumbai for 10 years he left for Dubai where he worked for 15 years with his brother-in-law before starting his own company Maxell International in 2003. ‘Maxell International’ is an ISO certified company dealing with marine fire fighting and life-saving equipments for onshore and offshore industries. By absolute determination and sheer hard work he could achieve success and take a firm footing in Dubai. With a staff strength of nearly 40 people Nayak has been able to expand his horizons beyond Dubai and has opened branches in Oman and Sharja. Despite success, he remained humble and was always drawn by the desire to do something valuable so as to give back to his village. This resulted in his involvement in the form of financial assistance to provide books for needy students of his old school St Ignatius School Paladka. Apart from this, he has also been helping people for their health-care and other requirements. Now, he has played a pivotal role in ensuring a bank to the people of Mithabailu, thus giving vent to his long cherished dream.

For Nayak having banking facility in Mithabailu is more than a dream come true. He also decided to invest his money in his own village resulting in the construction of the 5-storey Pragathi Apartments with 14 flats. Nayak has built the apartment on no-profit basis and quite happy that he has been able to render whatever little help to his village. Balachandra Nayak had given the responsibility of the construction to builder Umesh Kamath but he monitored the progress through a camera he had installed at the site.

Nayak has decided to share his happiness by celebrating the occasion in a grand way by inviting the people of the village. He has also decided to honour some of his father’s friends during this occasion with whom his father used to share his dreams. There is a day-long celebration that includes puja, anna santharpane followed by a stage programme with entertainment. Entertainment programme includes yakshagana performance by the students of Alva’s College, Moodbidri and also Tulu play “Kala Kambula” .

Andrew D'Souza, retired headmaster of St Ignatius School, Paladka says that the apartment and opening of the bank branch in Mithabail has given a big boost to the people of the area. “The family of Nayak has rendered precious service to the people of Mithbail. Late Purushotham Nayak was a man of character who had grand dreams and ideas for the welfare of the people of this village and it is really a momentous occasion to see that his sons have fulfilled what he dreamt of”, Andrew points out. Apart from Balachandra his brother Sasudeva and Shashidhar have also been actively involved in all the activities of the village, says Andrew.

Balachandra’s wife Latha is supportive of his activities and the good work he has been doing in this village. Daughter Vaishali who is married and settled in Dubai and son is also working in Dubai. B P Nayak is a self-made man who has tasted success by his indefatigable efforts and determination. Nevertheless, he has not forgotten his roots or his humble origin and that is what sets him apart from the rest.

B P Nayak is a paragon of unselfish service to the society and the country would greatly benefit if we have more and more men and women of his caliber.