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In search of youth’s antecedents

KORAPUT: He was found wandering at Nandapur in 2003 by then Sub-Collector and was admitted to Manas, the school for mentally challenge children here.

He uttered a few words in Telugu whenever someone asked his name or the name of his village. With little understanding about what he was speaking, his name could not be known. Hence, he was named Manas, school headmaster Bidyadhar Pramanik said. All efforts to find out the antecedents of the 16-year-old youth went in vain, he added.

The school decided to continue him as a regular student. It had been giving him some orientation in reading and binding books, stitching clothes, etc. along with other 56 inmates of the school. But his maintenance was proving to be difficult with each passing day as his condition was worse than others. He had no knowledge about how to dress. He, however, showed signs of improvement over the years, Mr. Pramanik said. He had been suffering from serious bouts of fits despite being administered medicines. The treatment and acquaintance with other children seem to have some positive impact. Now, he can speak word by word, smiles at his friends and pays respect to visitors, the headmaster said.

The barber who visits the school at regular intervals was his best friend as he alone understood whatever little he speaks in Telugu. Manas recently told him that he had no one in his family.

The institution was keen on finding his antecedents as it cannot support him for long. As per the guidelines and because of paucity of funds, the school would be able to look after him till he attained 18 years.

With only two years left, authorities were making all out efforts to locate his village and surviving family members, if any, who could take his ownership after he was released from school, the headmaster said.

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