Every Child is Special...

It is a dream of every child in this whole world to engrave their early chapter of life with such an enjoyable and exciting childhood. Going to school and learning so many new things, meeting new friends and playing happily enlighten their lives and mark a sincere smile on their faces. There are no words can describe how happy there are. Not to mention with the endless love from parents who always be there for them, who truly understand them. However, different situation happens to an eight-year-old boy, Ishaan whose life is on the verge of depression since his friends, teachers and sadly his father belittle him because he is dumb, dislikes school and always performs badly in examination.

Taare Zameen Par tells a story about a boy who seeks spaces for others especially his father to accept him and understand him for who he really is. He has difficulties in reading, spelling and doing Maths. He cannot answers 3 x 9 in his Maths examination. He even writes the mirror image of letter R instead of the correct R. ["Я" instead of "R"]. His books are full with red marks. Nevertheless, of all scarcity in academic field, Ishaan has a remarkable talent that his friends do not have. He is very good in painting. He expresses what he feels through painting. Since he is not keen on to go to school, he skips his classes out of his teachers' and parents' knowledge. In fact, he does not give his academic report card to his parents.

Disappointed for what Ishaan has done, his father decides to send him to a boarding school, hoping he will change. Ishaan's mother and brother feel very sad upon leaving him at the boarding school out of his willingness. Since then, Ishaan becomes demure and stops painting. A new art teacher, Nikumbh finally comes to the rescue. After asking Rajan, a friend who sits next to him in class, regarding why Ishaan behaves that way, Nikumbh decides to have an eye to eye conversation with Ishaan's parents, hoping he will find the answer he is looking for. After looking at Ishaan's school books, Nikumbh discovers that Ishaan's spelling and writing show he is suffering from dyslexia, a learning disability. Nikumbh offers himself to help this special kid. In class, Nikumbh tells a story about kids who do not know how to read but finally make a great discovery to the world. He gives examples like Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and Leonardo da Vinci. Ishaan is very interested listening to the story knowing he faces the same problem. He becomes overwhelm when people like him capable of doing such a great thing. Nikumbh finally reveals to Ishaan that he was at the same shoes as Ishaan when he was a kid.

With the sincere help of a loving teacher and a determination to change, Ishaan is finally succeed to improve himself. Now he can read, spell and do Maths after attending intensive classes. Ishaan's father comes to meet Nikumbh, worrying his son's teacher may think that he does not care about his own son. Nikumbh does know that every parents do care about their children. But how? Is saying I love you and I care about you is enough? When the children face problems, do they approach, listen and understand them? When they fail in examination, do they hug their children and give moral support to perform better next time? Ishaan's father stands in silence, feeling guilty and leaves. Tears running on his cheeks when he hears Ishaan reading an art contest advertisement with a medium voice. His heart sinks and he just leaves.

Nikumbh is the one who organizes the art contest which is open to all students and teachers. On the art contest day, Ishaan wakes up early in the morning, takes his shower, puts on his uniform and neatly combs his hair. He walks out from his hostel, leaving behind his friends who are still sleeping soundly and he leads to a lake nearby. Sitting down and enjoying the freshness of the air during the dawn. The art contest has begin but Ishaan still does not show up. His teacher starts to worry. After waiting a few minutes of hope, Ishaan finally makes his way to the contest. He is finally being selected as the winner with the painting of himself sitting in front of a lake with a dawn background. Ishaan walks slowly to see his teacher's painting and discovers it is actually a portrait of Ishaan himself.

The school break has finally comes. Before leaving the school, Ishaan's parents thank Nikumbh for what he has done to help their son. The film ends when Ishaan runs to his teacher and he flies him to the air.

The film conveys a very valuable message to the parents out there through its wonderful storyline. If our children have problems, spend some time to ask and listen what the problem is and try to find a way out. If our children perform badly in studies, caning and laying our hands to their faces are not the right solutions. Children are actually more intelligent than the parents give them credit for. Parents must seek for parenting knowledge, learn how to handle those kids who are different from others. Parents must not simply comparing their child with their siblings because.....

Taare Zameen Par official website, click here...
More info about dyslexia, click here....
List of people diagnosed with dyslexia, click here...

#ForYourInformation Taare Zameen Par was aired last Saturday on tv3