Mr. MISFIT

“Naveen ! Naveen! Where is this boy!” Sumati was frantically calling her son, as she made his breakfast and was expecting him to finish it in time to catch the school bus. “Every day feeding him breakfast, getting him ready to school , packing his lunch and finally putting him into the school bus, is becoming a circus feat” she mumbled to herself. “Here you are “she found him in the front yard petting his dogs. She cajoled him to the dining table and made him sit in front of breakfast and to her chagrin he was making faces at her and was refusing to eat the food. “I am not hungry” declared Naveen! She knew it would be impossible to make him eat. “So many children are malnourished and dying in Ethiopia and other African countries and here you are ,  absolutely uncaring for food. You do not realize how lucky you are.” She shouted in exasperation as Naveen left for his school without eating his breakfast. As Naveen boarded his bus and it proceeded towards his school, he was reflecting on his mom’s words. ”If children in Africa or elsewhere do not have food and are hungry I wonder how does my eating help them. Instead, they should be provided with food. I don’t understand mom’s words” He thought and was distracted as the bus reached the school.

Sumati had been waiting eagerly as Naveen returned from school and was rearing to go out to play. She inspected his lunch box to see if he had finished his lunch and was upset that he ate a small portion and left rest of it. She checked his home work and saw that he was given substantial work to be done at home. She let him play for a while with his friends and after ensuring that he was refreshed she tried to make him do his homework.  As usual, Naveen’s attention was wandering here and there and with difficulty he finished his work.” It would be easy to make a boulder listen and understand my words. Telling you is futile! “Said Sumati, as she made him complete the home work. She was tired and exasperated with the day’s work. “Mama, I wonder why you need to talk to a boulder and if at all, if you need, you should talk to the boulder than to me” said Naveen. A smile broke up on her face as she understood that what she said was beyond the boy’s comprehension. She was too tired to explain what she was trying to tell Naveen!

This was a daily routine for the mother and son with the arbitration of the father once in a while. The boy was very intelligent having exceptional connect with living creatures. He had fish aquarium, guinea pigs and was interested in birds. In short, his interests were not limited by these few animals but extended to all animals including Iguanas and non-poisonous snakes as well!

During the monthly parent teacher meetings, the teacher’s complaint was the boy was always found gazing intently out of the window next to his seat. When he was questioned by his parents he told that the scene outside was very interesting. He would be gazing at the birds and squirrels outside on the trees. He would get to see the weaver birds weaving their nests. The school was sprawling in several acres of land with lush green lawns and huge trees, some of them fruit bearing as well. Naturally they attracted a variety of small animals and birds, which fascinated Naveen. He asked his parents and teacher,” why do I have to know what Emperor Ashoka did to spread Buddhism?     How many battles did Mohammad Ghazni fight? Who built Qutub Minar? What was the application of algebra in real life?” They were shocked on hearing Naveen’s questions which were difficult to answer ,none the less justified and understandable.

This dichotomy persisted through out the studies for Naveen. It was not possible to change the system nor was he able to change his perspective or interest. It is also possible that Naveen have had  some kind of learning disability or Dyslexia. Unfortunately, or fortunately neither his parents nor the teachers thought about this possibility. Somehow, he completed his studies with a post graduate degree with a decent performance. All through Naveen considered him as a misfit, in the present education system!

Through out his education he preserved and enhanced his interest in living beings around him. He honed his skills in bird breeding and rearing and established a small colony of ornamental birds, at home. He was compassionate, with innate ability in handling animals. He would attend national and international conferences on various aspects of aviculture. Slowly, having firmly established as an amateur aviculturist he groomed himself to be a professional in the field and has become a name to recon with.

This was the young boy who had desisted formal education, had become a specialist in a field of his liking and choice by self-education. He always had the support and encouragement of his parents. He felt that every child should have an opportunity to see, hold and pet animals and develop empathy for them and the nature around us. This was hardly possible in today’s concrete jungles. Slowly his idea was given a shape eventually as he designed and developed a bird park. He had the perseverance and tenacity to pursue his passion and ingenuity in developing his profession around it.  In doing so he opened up a new line of vocation for many young animal enthusiasts. His work contributes to the animal conservation and preservation and also to education of children.  In the aviary , children get to touch , feed and play with the birds and learn to handle, care and respect them.

Naveen’s family are proud of him  and are immensely happy about the totally unexpected turn his career has taken. There is still a lot for him to achieve. Those who have their passion aligned with the profession are bound to succeed and do wonders. Naveen’s story also should be an eye opener for the teachers and parents of students who do not fit into the current educational system.