Udupi : Dr. Satheesha Nayak B, Professor of Anatomy at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), has won the “Water Heroes” contest of the Government of India. Government of India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation had launched a contest called “Water Heroes – Share your stories” in an attempt to promote value of water in general and for supporting country-wide efforts on water conservation and sustainable development of water resources. Dr. Nayak has emerged as the winner of the contest for the month April 2022.

The Alambi family, including Dr. Satheesha Nayak, his wife Dr. Soumya KV (Assistant Professor of Mathematics, MIT Manipal), Daughter Sameeksha Nayak, (a student of Madhava Kripa School, Manipal), Brothers, Ramesh Nayak and Umesh Nayak, brother’s kids Ankith Nayak and Amith Nayak have been constantly working towards keeping the water bodies of their village clean. They have cleaned the local streams several times in the last three years and have created awareness among the people through social media and personal contacts. They have also cleaned the beaches and blocked channels in the village. The 80th Badagabettu Gram Panchayath has given all the help and support in these activities by arranging a garbage collecting vehicle, processing the garbage collected and by installing an anti-garbage net at the local bridge.

Dr. Satheesha Nayak’s “Swachh Bharath” activities have already drawn the attention of the Govt of India and a report about the same has been published in the Swachh Bharath portal recently.

Dr. Nayak is very passionate about wild life and has rescued many snakes which entered the nearby houses at his place. He and his team have also planted several fruit saplings in the nearby forests for the wild animals.

Dr Nayak said that he was delighted to know that his “Clean and Green Alambi mission” and “Panchayth to Prime Minister” projects have already reached where they were supposed to reach. Dr. Nayak says that this is just the beginning. There is a lot more to do for his village and he has requested more and more people to join him in this mission.

Dr. Nayak is a true allrounder, who has contributed a lot to the field of medical education and research. He is the recipient of “Best teacher award” from MAHE for eight time and he has published more than 400 research articles in various reputed international journals. He has won the prestigious Dr. TMA Pai gold medal for excellence in Research and two State level Gold medals for excellence in research. He is the top ranked among the only three Indian Anatomists who found a place in the Stanford list of top 2% Scientists of the world. He has also received the “Certified Sentinel of Science” award from Publons for his excellence in review of scientific research.

Apart from Science and community work, Dr. Nayak is also involved in many cultural activities. He has performed in many Yakshagana shows and Carnatic music concerts also.

Dr. Nayak hails from a very poor family in 80th Badagabettu village, Udupi District of Karnataka State. He is the Son of Sri Vittala Nayak and Smt. Lakshmi Nayak Alambi. He is the alumni of Govt Higher Primary School, 80th Badagabettu, Parkala High School, Manipal Junior College, Mahathma Gandhi Memorial College (MGM) Udupi and Kasturba Medical College, Manipal.