BANGALORE: Twenty-six-year old Siddu S Loute spends time calculating, thinking and working on his mathematical abilities. “I spend most of my time calculating,” the man said.He doesn’t use a calculator and nor does he write the calculations on a piece of parchment. He does it in his mind. However, he does have a ‘weakness’, Siddu cannot see. “My parents neglected and ignored me when they realised I was blind. They felt I would be a burden on them as I grew up. The neglect and the frustration lead me to leaving home and enrolling myself in a hostel at the age of five,” he recounted. And now, he is preparing for the civil service exam.From an introvert to a confident young man, his journey was not a bed of roses. Speaking of the years gone by, he said that even in school people were not kind to him. All the ridicule and humiliation made him go deeper into his shell, until one fine day when he had enough taunts and remarks.“In my hostel in Hubli, there was a boy who was seven years old and could recite tables up to hundred. People admired him for his talent,” he informed.Inspired by the older boy, Siddu dedicated countless hours memorising and working out complicated tables.With time, people got to know about his ability, and the respect and the admiration began growing.“Many people came to meet me. I received numerous medals, certificates and cash awards. However, I never got any of them,” he reminisces. He said he felt exploited as he never benefited from any of the prizes awarded to him. After finishing his tenth standard from the special school, he decided to upgrade his level of challenges.He joined a computer coaching class in Bangalore.Unfortunately, there too, the same fate greeted him.“There too people made fun of me. In fact my teacher once yelled at me because I did not know how to speak in English,” he revealed. He promised his coach that he would learn English in 15 days and come back and meet her. He stood true to his promise.For Siddu the word, ‘impossible’ is meaningless.The man is always up for challenges and loves pushing himself. His foray into television journalism is another example of his determination and will power. At the moment he is preparing for his IAS coaching. “When I was 15, I had no clue what IAS meant, yet I knew, that’s what I wanted to be,” he said.He has been preparing for the coaching classes since his first PUC.When quizzed why he was so keen on the career option, he said, “I want to help people, especially those who are neglected,” he said with a hint of remorse. He further added that today’s youth is extremely talented and that their talent needs to be channelised.“By becoming an IAS officer, I will be able to help them and ultimately help the country as well,” he said.
Comments
0 comment