Auto rickshaw driver and table tennis coach: Bengaluru man's inspiring journey of passion goes viral

A Bengaluru auto driver, Gurumurthy N, has gained attention on social media for his dual role as a professional table tennis coach. The story, shared by Gayatri Gopakumar on LinkedIn, has drawn widespread appreciation.

A coach behind the wheel
Gopakumar recounted her encounter with Gurumurthy and discovered his passion for coaching table tennis. "I had to share this incredible encounter with you all! This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting Gurumurthy N, a professional auto-rickshaw driver in Bengaluru. But that's not all - he's also a Table Tennis coach!" she wrote in her post.


Based in Malleshwaram, Gurumurthy was a full-time coach for Karnataka’s state table tennis team. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to take up work as an auto-rickshaw driver. Despite this shift, he continued his coaching efforts. "This chance meeting reminded me that we can wear multiple caps with excellence! Gurumurthy's story is a testament to the fact that our professions don’t define us, and we can pursue our passions with dedication and hard work," Ms. Gopakumar added.


A unique approach to finding students
To reach potential trainees, Gurumurthy had placed a poster on the back of his auto-rickshaw seat. "I am a professional TT coach. Please share my contact number with anyone who wants to get trained in TT - individuals, club apartment clubhouses, schools. Thank you," read the poster.

Social media reactions
The post quickly went viral, with social media users praising Gurumurthy’s dedication. "It truly highlights the remarkable resilience and versatility individuals like Gurumurthy possess," said one user. Another added, "His journey is a powerful reminder that our capabilities extend beyond job titles and that passion can fuel our pursuits, no matter the circumstances."

A third commentator encouraged parents to consider enrolling their children in his training programs after their academic exams.