Jatin Patil, a 17 year old boy from Panvel (Maharashtra) has become an inspiration for all the differently abled in the country. Despite suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder, he has bagged the first position in the national merit list of the Central government scholarship exam, conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Securing the top position under the person with disability category (PWD), Jatin has won for himself a central government scholarship to last throughout his educational career. He will get Rs.80,000 per annum, for his graduation period of three years and Rs.1,12000 per annum during his masters.
The Central Government has been conducting the exam annually since 1999 under the ‘Kishore Vaigyanik Protshahan Yojana’ with the aim to encourage students to take up research as a career. It is conducted in three categories viz. General or open, SC/ST and PWD. According to the format of the examination, Jatin appeared for an aptitude test after which, shortlisted students were called for an interview in Bangalore. Jatin excelled in both the stages which led him to win the scholarship.
However, Jatin’s journey was not an easy one. Jatin’s mother, Archana Patil, shared how Jatin overcame all the hurdles to have become capable of this incredible achievement. According to her, Jatin could not even speak till the age of three and a half. He has been hyperactive since his childhood, suffering from mood swings and depression, but he always had great grasping power. Many schools had rejected him admission due to his disability. But all this neither did dissuade Jatin nor his mother to get a quality education.
Jatin’s mother said that she remained undeterred by the hardships. She said, ‘‘I never gave up and got him admitted in a mainstream school. I personally pursue a special parenting course and help him in speech therapy.”
In the opinion of Dr. Roopa Srinivasan, the consultant Developmental Pediatrician from Jaslok Hospital, “Children like Jatin are at the high functioning end of ASD. Jatin’s innate high potential and the family’s unwavering support have made it possible.”
Jatin has shown excellent performance in academics. He scored 91% in SSC exam, which made him more confident. With an aim to pursue higher education and research in physics, he now seeks to appear for the IITJEE exam.
Jatin’s achievement is the cumulative result of his family’s persistent efforts and his own perseverance. His success has become a sterling example for all the students and the parents who consider themselves or their wards incapacitated by any physical and mental disability. He has proven that disability is just a mental block.
News Source: Times Of India
Image Source: The Free Press Journal
