Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 1: This boy has a rare condition, known in medical parlance as 'osteogenesis imperfecta', because of which his bones are too brittle to stand even the slightest of pressures. Routine movements can fracture his bones. He is bedridden now because of multiple fractures of bones suffered by him recently, but this brave-hearted boy from the city, Arjun, is neither shaken nor perturbed. Buoyed by profound determination and will to achieve something great in life, Arjun appeared for his first PU examination by lying on a bed.

Arjun is the son of Bhagawan Adyantaya and Vanitha Adyantaya, residents of Kodialguthu here. Shattered bones have failed to deter this boy. Arjun secured 92 percent marks in SSLC examination. His parents recollect that he was normal when born and continued to be so till he turned six months old. Thereafter, he was diagnosed with the above condition, which has crippled his routine activities and movements. The family takes abundant care to see that he does not suffer a jolt or violent shake because they can break his bones.

Arjun had carefully maintained himself against suffering fractures till recently. When he appeared for the first examination, he was in good health. However, when he ws moving with his parents a couple of days back by sitting in the backseat of the family car, his father, who was driving the car, suddenly applied brakes after noticing that a snake was crossing his path. Arjun, who was seated in the rear seat, was not wearing seat belt. He went off balance and fell down, as a result of which several bones in his body suffered fractures.

The way the boy appeared for the examination with a smiling face in spite of not being able to move any of his body parts, made his fellow-students and teachers proud of his will power, thirst for knowledge, and determination. He reminded one of grand-sire Bheeshma of the epic, 'Mahabharata', who was lying in a bed of arrows with the calm and composure of a Yogi, waiting for Uttarayana to arrive. The boy was physically lifted and brought to the college where he was made to lie on a bed. He was seen glancing at the question papers and dictating answers fluently to a girl student of SSLC, who wrote his answers down.

Arjun, who has completed his primary and high school education through Aloysius PU college here, cannot even risk to stumble because that would break several of his bones. Arjun draws strength from his inner self, and it is apparent the way he keeps himself smiling and comfortable. Professor of the college, Ganesh Ameen Sankamar, says that everyone in the college wishes and prays that Arjun, who is good looking and talented, will some day be able to engage in physical activities and sports like his friends. Arjun, who has opted for commerce subjects in first PUC, has been provided with a wheel chair.

Principal of the college, Melvyn Mendonca, proudly mentions that Arjun makes it a point to attend college everyday in spite of his condition, unlike his able bodied college mates. Arjun wants to become an automobile engineer. The boy's determined pursuit of excellence, we are sure, can surmount all odds and make his every dream become a reality. Our hearty wishes are with this boy, who is sure to prove to be an inspiration for children with debilities who sometimes lose their hopes, by standing tall as a role model.