THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Punarjani opened a whole new world for Roshan S Lenin, a 12-year-old kid from the slums of Chengalchoola. Despite being physically disabled, his story is an example of grit as he tracks a journey from the ghetto to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, where he will be conferred the Balasree award for his cinematic dance performance. Roshan suffers from leg length discrepancies which makes it difficult for him to do daily household chores. However, once the music sets going, his crazy dance grooves steals everyone’s attention. ” Watching him do headstand is my favourite“ says Vachana Rose Chakko, an inmate of the Punarjani camp and a close friend of his.
The verbally challenged and hearing impaired sporty child seems to have created his own music, dancing from his heart. He makes an effort to improve his dance through sheer hardwork and prayers of his dear ones embarking a progressive journey from the days after which he won the UNICEF child achiever award in the dance category in 2014. “Football is his life. We could not even dream of getting a coach to train him, but to our surprise, Santosh Trophy player Ebin Rose himself volunteered to coach him,“ said the proud mother. Today, Roshan is being coached by the player at the Kovalam football Club.
Roshan also finds happiness in showcasing his dribbling skills and heading moves. He dreams to be a football player when he becomes older. Roshan is currently studying in Pattom Girls Higher Secondary School but he will soon be moved to Kalyan school where he will be given special training. He is little reserved and shy yet a special talent when it comes to connecting to people through dance, football and gestures. His keen sense of understanding, the way he picturizes speech through lip movements, his love for his friends and his undying passion makes his personality even more fascinating, says his friends.