PANAJI
Vinay Naik, born in 1980, turned 45 this July. His life took a sudden turn in March 2002, when at the age of 21 he met with a serious accident. On the night of 13 March, while returning home on his bike, he was hit by a rider under the influence of alcohol. Vinay, who was not wearing a helmet, fell and suffered a head fracture. He lost consciousness immediately and woke up only five days later in Goa Medical College, after being operated on by neurosurgeon Dr Ponraj K Sundaram and his team.
When he regained consciousness, Vinay’s cousin told him he was back to his senses but unable to speak. Days turned into months, and doctors confirmed he would never speak again. But Vinay refused to give up. On Dr Ponraj’s advice, he began speech therapy at GMC with the late Kunal Chauhan from the ENT department.
“I continued therapy for two and a half years. My sessions were once a week, but I went every day and waited patiently for Chauhan sir to take me whenever he was free. Later, while working and studying, I attended twice a week till 2005,” recalls Vinay. Even today, he admits his speech and language are still in recovery.
“I have a speech and language disability,” he says. “Sometimes I go blank while speaking, reading or writing. I make mistakes because of the accident’s after effects.”
Vinay openly admits that not wearing a helmet was his biggest mistake. “That one accident changed my life. It caused pain to my parents and friends who saw me suffer. Rules are for our own safety, and everyone must follow them. I learnt my lesson the hard way,” he says, urging people never to drink and drive.
Before the accident, Vinay was an active child with no stage fear. At seven, he played Rohidas in Raja Harishchandra, and at 12 he acted as Krishna in Krishna Karasthan. He performed in monologues, debates, elocutions, singing and dance competitions, and even won medals in judo. He loved painting, rangoli, and sports like basketball, cricket, hockey and table tennis. While some activities stopped after the accident, he continues walking, running and cycling. He had also learnt the sitar, but had to give it up due to work and later arthritis. “I love to travel, whether alone or in a group,” he smiles.
Vinay’s interest in nature and wildlife began in Class VIII under the guidance of Ajay Gramopadhye, Reshma Naik and Paresh Porob. At 18, he even became an instructor at nature camps in Bondla and Mollem, where students conducted animal census surveys.
The only son of late Tushidas and Sugandhi Naik, Vinay had a fairly normal childhood. He completed SSC at 15, Class 12 at 17, and graduated in Physics at 20 from PES College, Ponda. Just a year later, the accident changed his life’s direction. After a break, he went on to complete a post-graduation degree from Parvatibai Chowgule College and a Diploma in Computer Applications in 2006.
“After the accident, I had to leave my job as a medical representative. I tried several businesses, from selling agarbattis to LIC policies,” he recalls. In 2007, he joined Sanjay School, Curchorem, as a special teacher on a contract basis. His father’s death in 2008 made the family’s financial struggle even harder.
In 2009, Vinay secured a government job as an LDC at Government Polytechnic, Panaji. He married in 2012, the same year he was transferred to Government Polytechnic, Curchorem. In 2016, he was promoted and transferred to Goa College of Pharmacy as a documentation assistant, where he continues to work.
His wife Pradnya, a primary teacher at Anjuman High School for 19 years, has been his pillar of support. Their two daughters are his source of joy. With a loving family and strong determination, Vinay continues to face challenges with courage.
“Life is about fighting back against difficulties till the end. God is with me,” he says with faith.
