(From Left to Right) Tirthankar Nandy, Founder & Chairman of the All India Budo Shotokan Karate Association; Ashida Katsunori, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Kolkata; Sensei Eyal Nir, author of the book; and Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, at the launch of “Budo for Life” at the conclave.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Sensei Eyal Nir, a martial arts practitioner, leadership mentor, and 7th Dan Traditional Karate Black Belt, launched his book “BuDo for Life” in Kolkata on Monday (July 6, 2026). The event marked his first stop on the India tour. The book launch was organised by Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia, and the Deputy Consul General of Japan, Katsunori Ashida.
The book’s thematic statement is rooted in the philosophy of BuDo (The Martial Way), an ancient Japanese tradition. The author and other experts at the launch emphasised that while BuDo is often associated with martial arts, its principles can also be adapted to address the challenges of contemporary daily life.
Mr. Nir described the book as a reflection of his personal life and stated that “Life is your Dojo” is the central idea, where the principles of discipline and self-control can become a guiding light in one’s everyday decisions. He also mentioned that “BuDo for Life” is not just another book providing advice or motivation; it introduces to the world a new system distilled from centuries of BuDo wisdom, offering 10 practical tools that the readers can apply for their lasting success and well-being.
The Deputy Consul General of Japan said that the importance of BuDo in Japanese education is immense. In describing this, he referred to the phrase “Rei ni hajimari, Rei ni owaru”, which directly translates to “Begin with respect and end with respect”. He explained that this philosophy emphasises the values of respect, gratitude, and other principles that continue to shape the daily lives of people in Japan.
Mr. Ashida drew parallels between the philosophies of BuDo and Japan’s performance in the FIFA World Cup. He noted that the team was applauded for their sportsmanship, fairness, tidiness, and respect on the field, adding that this is how this philosophy is reflected in everyday life in their country.
During the book launch, the author shared that he hopes that the book finds its place in educational institutions through programmes and encourages people to develop resilience and balance through the BuDo philosophy.
Published – July 08, 2026 01:18 pm IST
