Vinuth Omaloti Mahipal
This story began on August 26, 1983, when a son was born to a loving family in Dharwad city, Karnataka State, India. As an only child, Vinuth Omaloti Mahipal enjoyed the attention from his parents as well as the extra opportunities and independence that came with having no other siblings to compete with. His story is far from over, and he has experienced many things in his lifetime.
The Early Years
It could easily be said that Vinuth Omaloti Mahipal had a fairly normal start to his life, but everyone around him would quickly learn that he was anything but normal. He recalls that he loved to play games with his friends like any other kid, and do just about everything else that normal boys do, but he always felt that he was somewhat separated from the rest – not physically separate, but mentally.
In his early years before he started to attend school, his parents remember him as a dedicated son who seemed far more knowledgeable than he should have been about life, work and responsibility. He seemed to be able to sense when help was needed in the home, whether it was assisting with regular tasks such as cleaning up, preparing meals, bringing back what little supplies he could carry from the market, and just about anything else he felt was needed. This was unusual to say the least, considering where he lived and the traditional roles that had been in place for generations.
In fact, Vinuth Omaloti Mahipal remembers that he enjoyed breaking out of the box and being seen as an unusual character both in the home and in the neighborhood. He had no time for the old rules for which he saw no use. However, he was a conscientious boy who did see the use in many of the traditional ways and the rules which governed his society. He was not simply rebelling against the system in destructive or unthinking ways.
And so it was fortunate for him that his parents recognized the talent and drive in this young boy, and they encouraged Vinuth Omaloti Mahipal in many ways to continue in his quest to be helpful both inside and outside of the home. To this day he gives credit to his family for being able to appreciate him and his differences, and the fact that they did not attempt to make him conform into what was traditionally expected of a son.
