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        Fortune favours the brave, it is said. It has been proved right in the case of Durai Jesu Doss, a former 'Mr India', who overcame the ill-effects of diabetes to make a mark in his chosen field of activity.

        Now, the vice-president of Tamilnadu Amateur Bodybuilding Association (TABBA), his desire is to popularise the sport.

        A commerce graduate from Madras Christian College, Tambaram, he showed interest in sports, especially athletics. An ardent fan of actor Bruce Lee, he turned his attention to karate impressed by the stunts of Lee.

        Later, on the advice of karate master Kenneth, Jesu Doss took up bodybuilding at the age of 15 and started training at Chandru Gym. He received tips on bodybuilding from trainer Chandru, who encouraged him to participate in the district-level competitions. 'My parents also provided a lot of encouragement in various ways,' he says.

        At the age of 22, he met with an accident and later he was found to be suffering from diabetes. Though doctors advised him against carrying on with bodybuilding, he stuck to the task and slowly climbed to the top.

        His first competition experience was in 1985 at a State-level championship in Chennai where he secured fifth place. Later, he took part in several district-level and State-level meets and secured medals.

        In 1989, he got selected as Mr Tamilnadu and in the same year he secured a bronze medal at the South Indian championship. His first appearence at the national level was in 1989 in Maharashtra and he emerged with a bronze medal.

        In 1990, he secured sixth place at the national championship at a time when his health took a turn for the worse.

        Ill-health forced him to retire in 1990. He re-emerged after a gap of 12 years in 2003 at the Bhillai National championship. And, what a comeback it was. He was named 'Mr India' in the master category.

        'I can never forget the moment when I became 'Mr India' because I was returning after a long gap,' he recalls with pride.

        'While training for the 2003 meet, I struggled and even fell down. Self- confidence helped me to win the contest,' he says.

        In 2004, he passed an examination to become a national-level judge with first grade and his first appearance as a national judge was in 2005 at Chennai.

        Talking about his role as a trainer, he says, 'the gymnasium is a kind of school where the students learn the art of bodybuilding and I am continuing my father's profession as a teacher, in a different way.

        Jesu Doss' vision is to popularise the art of bodybuilding in India and bring it to the level of cricket and football.

        The government should come forward to popularise it (bodybuilding) and open gymnasiums at the local level with improved facilities, he says and adds government-owned gymnasiums have poor facilities and good coaches should be appointed .

        He goes on to say that the government's support is essential in popularising any sport/game. Several State champions and top bodybuilders at the national level are struggling to get jobs, he points out.

        Jesu Doss' advise to the younger generation is that diet is important for a bodybuilder and no one can get muscles just by exercising for a single day. Moreover, patience is important otherwise one will become a patient, he concludes.