Swastik Pathak
Swastik Pathak was diagnosed autistic at the age of 2.5 years when he went to kindergarten school with other neurotypical children in the UK. Since his childhood, he showed extraordinary skills in singing songs in Hindi, Bengali, nursery rhymes and Christmas songs in English. He memorised tables in English, rhymes in Hindi and Bengali and also the ‘Ramayana for Children’ in a rhythmic tone. At the age of 6, while in the UK, his music potential was highly appreciated not only by a choir group which he regularly attended, but also by the Director of Victoria College of Music, London who allowed him to appear for grade exams of music alongside normal students. He went onto bag Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal from exams conducted by Victoria College of Music, London.
Back in India in 2013, he joined SOREM (School Society for Rehabilitation of Mentally Challenged), Chandigarh. Here he was introduced to arts, crafts and other domains like copy-board skill, computer typing, block printing with poster colours, etc. Now aged 34, Swastik engages in his many special talents – abstract art, colouring, music, an array of embroidery stitching undertaken with various work materials. Swastik stays with his family in Chandigarh and touches hearts with his obedience and decency.
