Lone warrior fights battle against gutkha for 3 years

Alberto Dayakar (66) has dedicated the last three years of his life to just one cause – creating awareness about the harmful effects of gutkha and tobacco. The retired merchant navy official says during his travels across the globe, he saw a lot of Indians in a pathetic situation that prompted him to do something for the country.

Dayakar, a resident of Louiswadi in Thane (W), is quite passionate about spreading knowledge regarding basic hygiene and the ill-effects of gutkha and tobacco. Somebody spitting from a train or at a public place is enough to get him worked up and conduct an impromptu seminar on the subject, any place, any time.

His typical day includes speaking to 15-20 people on the subject. He travels either on his bike or in a car. Whenever he sees anyone consuming tobacco, he stops immediately and takes out documents and pictures related to the effects of gutkha and tobacco from his briefcase. "I speak to the person. I tell them consuming these things is not good for them," he says.

Dayakar worked in merchant navy and travelled across the world for 40 years. "I saw the culture of several countries and felt sorry that my own country was in such a pitiable condition. So many people suffer from gutkha addiction. I wanted to do something. So, after I retired, I started speaking with them," he adds.

He further stated that he was not affiliated with any NGO and conducted these seminars wherever he was – on the roads, parking lot or a public garden. "As long as I have strength in my body, I will keep creating public awareness," he concludes.