An early riser, Datta Naik’s day commences at 5.30 am. A dog lover he makes it a point to take his Labrador out for a walk. Nothing extensive, the dog fancies a quick walk in the neighbourhood to help start it’s day on a good note. The master then leaves for Fatorda stadium for a brisk walk that can last up to 45 minutes. This walk is usually done 4 days a week and twice a week he visits Norberts for cycling or treadmill. Returning home he peruses 3 to 4 newspapers. Datta Naik then leaves for the office at around 9.30 am. At 1 .30 pm he returns home to have his fish curry and rice followed by a siesta which commences at 2 pm and ends at 3 pm. He explained this by saying “I need my eight hours of sleep, if I party late I don’t go for a walk in the morning. In the afternoon I go to the office at 3.30 and work till 6 pm.
Now with a reduced work load with the son handing important aspects of the business, the father has the time to relax. In the evening he buys magazines and evening newspapers. Datta Naik is conversant in English, Marathi, Konkani, Hindi and Sanskrit.
He graduated from Chowgule College in mathematics. A rationalist and an atheist, Datta Naik considers mathematics as the fountain head of all sciences.
He said “I deliver a lot lectures. Some of them revolve around mathematics which I try to present through puzzles. The children of today have technology which excites them and gives them alternatives. If you bore them they will turn away. Value education can be given through anecdotes.”
He would like to retire from his business and focus on writing; however it would mean he would be cut off from interacting with people across various strata of society.
For someone who is very sensitive, the nuances of Indian classical music escape him. Not out of malice but due to an absence of education in the various ragas that mark the style. He enjoys listening to Hindi film music and generally enjoys melodious music. He patronises the arts and it is not uncommon for him to buy a good piece of art. He visits museums during the course of his visits and also likes to take photographs.
As someone who has done quite well for himself, he has the monies to fulfil his wishes. He believes it is important to refine ones aesthetic senses and become more erudite and yes become more sensitive.
An atheist, he believes it has saved him lakhs of rupees and more importantly saved time. He visits to temples are similar to his visits to museums. He considers them cultural museums.
Like any hearty Goan he likes his food. He enjoys Italian, thai, Mexican and continental cuisines. A connoisseur of food he has no inhibitions with regards to eating pork or beef. He is influenced by Buddhism and the principle of compassion and hence last year turned vegetarian during lent. This however had unexpected consequences when his sodium levels depleted and he had to be admitted
Among his favourite restaurants he lists Tamari the restaurant in the Taj Vivanta and Khowsey by Mrs Khause in Pune and Mama Ghote in Bengaluru.
Datta Naik likes to travel and over the years he has travelled across Denmark, Norway, San Francisco, New York, Italy, Turkey, France and Switzerland. He recently visited Burma. He however is very happy in London which he loves. In India he likes the backwaters of Munnar and Alleppy.
Asked where he wanted to be in five years he said he could dream of retiring.
