Lending shape to his thoughts

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 18

With an IQ (Intelligence Quotient) index of merely 50, Deepak Bhami’s IQ falls in an extremely low category. Subjected to ridicule because of the incapacity, he endured a flood of problems right from the childhood facing abuse from his peers and society in general. Having studied in a school for special needs, Deepak has managed to pick up some social skills which greatly helped him to go about the ways of the world.

The landscape of his world changed when he had turned to sculpting four years ago to lend voice and form to his thoughts. The 32-year-old had recently been honoured with the state award by the Indian Academy of Fine Arts. Deepak had also won numerous medals and accolades in athletics during the school paralympics events such as athletics and shot put. However, his dreams of becoming a sportstar were cut short by an accidental knee injury. Deepak these days engages in cycling.

His elder sister, Tina Bhami, is herself into sculpting and her artworks have been displayed in various exhibitions. Deepak said he was inspired by her. “Earlier, I was into painting and murals but presently I have been devoting my time to sculpting.” He also loves collecting broken items and making pendants out of these. “He never disposes anything and does not even let us do that,” reveals Tina.

Aware of the fact that financial independence is equally important than pursuing an art, he plans to set up a stall where he could sell decorative items made by him. His family feels that the government should do more for people with special needs. He said he planned to go ahead with the plan in coming months.

“A middle-class family has limited resources. The government should initiate a programme for vocational training of persons with special needs so that they can live an independent and honorable life,” said Tina adding that a majority of people have become sensitive towards the likes of her brother. “But still it is not a perfect world and there is always scope for improvement,” she added.