The Hindu : Kerala News : The butterfly genius

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Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008
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Kerala

The butterfly genius

Ask Mohammed Swalih about butterflies and he will take you on a journey into the life of the winged beauties. He will tell you how a Swallow Tail is different from a Dlue or a Skipper and explain it with photographs of various species. A Class VI student at the MGM Public Central School, Akkulam, Swalih has an abiding interest in the world of butterflies.

Swalih’s keen interest and knowledge on the subject was on display at a residential camp for children held at the Government Lower Primary School at Karichara, Kaniyapuram, on Saturday. His ‘butterfly show’ stole the limelight at the camp.

The other children listened in rapt attention to his 30-minute lecture on the life-cycle, migration and activities among butterflies. Swalih’s interest in butterflies was roused by his elder brother Mohammed Safeer, a Plus Two student. “My brother always carries a camera with him wherever he goes so that he take snaps of some interesting butterflies,” said Swalih who has over 100 photographs on butterflies.

Swalih explains that each butterfly has its own distinctive host plant when it comes to laying eggs.

He explains that grass is the host plant for Common Sivering while Common Palmfly prefers coconut trees and palms. So what is Swalih’s ambition in life? “I want to become a zoologist,” he replies promptly.

The camp, attended by around 70 children in the age group 10 to 12 years from five different L.P. Schools in the locality, was inaugurated by veteran freedom fighter K.E. Mammen.

Sangeeth Kurian

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