KT sees a little person take her first big step

Dubai - Khaleej Times stands up for Shikha, whose height posed a problem in her school admission

Vinod Kochunny, father of four-year-old Shikha Vinod, is a happy little person.
The vertically challenged father of a vertically challenged daughter can now breathe easy as his daughter has finally been offered admission in a Dubai school.
Unlike other kids of her age, Shikha is 75cm tall and weighs 11kg. Her father, better known as Charly the magician, is a 116cm tall man who overcame the odds to become a successful entertainer in the city.
While finding a seat in an affordable Indian school in Dubai is a challenge for any parent, Charly's problems were amplified due to the physical stature of his daughter. Charly feared that he may have to send her to a special needs school or back home to India - neither of which was an appealing choice for him.
After desperately, but unsuccessfully, knocking on various doors to get an admission for her, Charly the magician turned to Khaleej Times for help and advice.
The newspaper took up her case with Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), who promised to do their best. An official from KHDA told Khaleej Times: "Thank you for making us aware of the situation. We work with schools and parents in Dubai to enable children with special education needs to have access to high quality education. This commitment is reflected in the school inspections framework, which assesses each school's capacity to serve special needs."
The KHDA officials invited Charly's family to their Academic City office on Monday and offered Shikha a seat in Indian High School Dubai. "On Tuesday, I completed the admission formalities and Shikha is excited about her going to school. It has been my long cherished dream to get a KG seat in a mainstream Indian school," a visibly happy Charly said.
"Thank you KHDA and Khaleej Times. My daughter is now enrolled in IHS Dubai. The KHDA director not only helped us get an admission, but also gifted her an iPad."
The 32-year-old Charly had been running from pillar to post to seek admission­­ for his daughter, who has inherited some of the physical shortcomings of her father. Shikha was born in Kerala and is being brought up in the UAE.
"I am only 116cm tall but my daughter is growing up as a normal child. Even though I am short, my brain works normally. If I can entertain any crowd, my child too will be intelligent," Charly said.
"Thank you KT for making a change in my daughter's little life."
- reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai