Rooted in tech, rising through inclusion, reaching for equity

Rajesh Dadi, a child with savant syndrome, thrives in inclusive education, showcasing the transformative impact of technology and support.

Rajesh Dadi sat on the edge of a chair, his thin frame curled into an almost defensive posture. One leg was pulled close to his chest, his knee tucked under his chin, and his other leg stretched out awkwardly towards the floor.

The nine-year-old fourth-grade student’s attention was on the glow of the screen in front of him. His small fingers danced on the keyboard as he typed with intense focus to complete the task at hand.

On the screen before him was a map of India with each State taking shape as he effortlessly coded the outlines and borders with precision.

The bright and sunny drawing room felt irrelevant as the boy appeared distant, lost in his own thoughts.

“Rajesh, it’s time for lunch,” his mother, Sumathi, said softly, unsure if it was alright to distract him. Her patient, repeated pleas were met with her son’s swift and soft clicks of the mouse, which filled each State with vibrant hues.

Suddenly, flashing an ear-to-ear smile, he declares, “I love geography!”

The story of Dadi, a student of Kankipadu Government Primary School in Vijayawada, underscores the importance of recognising and nurturing the potential in every child, regardless of their needs. He was diagnosed with savant syndrome, a rare condition in which individuals with significant neurological impairment, often related to autism, exhibit exceptional abilities in specific areas like art, music, or mathematics and have a prodigious memory.