18-month-old boy in Gajapati becomes talk of town for exceptional intelligence

An 18-month-old boy named Uttam Kumar Behera from Mohana area in Gajapati district has become a topic of wide discussion for his remarkable intelligence and memory power. 

Despite his tender age, Uttam can easily tell the name of different countries and Indian states. The toddler can also recognize various colours and animals, and fluently recite rhymes, the Gayatri Mantra, Hanuman Chalisa, and Ganesh Vandana.

His parents, Jitendra Kumar Behera and his wife, recognized his sharp memory and spiritual curiosity when he was just one year old. Inspired by his abilities, they began nurturing his knowledge from an early age. 

With a vision of shaping his future to serve the nation through education, the family is reportedly providing him with a disciplined and value-based upbringing.

Aiming for Guinness Book of World Records

Importantly, Uttam is being kept away from mobile screens, and his parents advocate for other parents to do the same — promoting good values and quality learning from an early age. They are also aiming to help Uttam secure a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for his extraordinary abilities, and efforts in that direction are currently underway.

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"When Uttam was seven to eight months old, Lord Ganesh was his best friend. When we ask him, he used to bring Lord Ganesh's image. Then he started showing interest in study. He started learning and reciting shlokas when he was only one-year-old. After watching his interest in learning, we started teaching him. Gradually, he started learning alphabets and numbers. We are overjoyed with his progress," said Uttam's mother.

"We are hopeful that he will continue to study and learn like this. We have not exerted any pressure on him, rather he is learning with his own interest. All our family members try to teach him something and he captures the lessons easily. We bless him to make advancement in education or spiritual path and bring laurels for Gajapati district. All our family members are proud of him. We pray before the God to make him a good human being," she added.