Today’s plan was to walk-up to the man made Bandra pond (talao) where I had noticed Little Cormorants soaking in the sun on the small island in the middle of the pond & take a few pictures of these interesting birds.

This though does not stop him from going about his life in the same way as most of us. He’s smart & articulate & fun to know. Reagan is a fighter & how it shows! But what I found gratifying is his peers. The complete acceptance showed as no one seemed to notice or care.

This brought to mind the school my daughter goes to. This institution has its mind in the right place. It knows that education does not start & end with books. The students are made to mingle with the kids from the spastic society of India founded by Dr Mithu Alur & is situated in the Bandra reclamation area every week.

Here I want to deviate & journey back to my childhood. I grew up thinking kids affected by downs syndrome were mentally imbalanced. I was 12 when I met my classmate’s mama (maternal uncle) Madan who was 41 yrs then but had the trappings of a 5 year ole. Madan mama loved to play with us & especially loved my company. He would call me Bati & cry for hours if I missed going over even for a day. The moment he would spot me on the road…he would bound & engulf me in his arms. While his beard & mature looks frightened me, his behavior baffled. Though my friend counseled, it was difficult to accept Madan Mama as a kid. My mum was equally naïve as she advised me to be careful.

Back to the present & this year’s annual school function that was celebrated a few weeks ago. There was this fusion dance wherein an extremely enthusiastic kid missed all his steps but not his fervor. He looked happy and at ease doing his own thing. The parents were enjoying this goof-up and as I laughed too, I realized something was different here. I was looking at a downs syndrome kid. As I tried to capture him in my lens the vision blurred. That was my tear telling me how proud I was of this kid, his parents & most importantly of the school that did not discriminate.

Going to school with differently abled kids has brought a certain inoculation to the other supposedly “normal” kid’s attitude towards life. My daughter looks quizzically when I mention this as if to understand what this whole drama is all about. When I say I’m mighty proud of her school mate…she says …so? What about him? He’s one naughty fellow & never listens to anyone if he’s not in the mood to.

See what I mean? Kids like my daughter have just accepted the fact that there are a few kids in school who are a bit slow & that it’s alright!

Back to Reagan, our collegiate. I retrace my steps uncertainly introducing myself to the group. As I talk about wanting to write about spirited people like him, he beams & without much ado gives permission to take a pic of him with his group. Was relieved after seeing their acceptance of my request coz was scared of scrapping feelings here. As I explained my intention, the group smiled & was more than happy to relent. One of the individuals wearing an orange T-shirt in the mug shot is a product of the same school I mention above.

This is how I want my India to flower into. A place where everyone is accepted without questions asked. A place where the kids are taught the language of life!