Boy With Rare Condition Worshipped As God
By Haziq Qadri @haziq_qadri
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Videographer / Director: Ajay Verma
Producer: Haziq Qadri, Nick Johnson
Editor: Joshua Douglas
Pranshu, from Jalandhar in the Indian state of Punjab, was born with a mystery medical condition that has left him with a swollen forehead and deep set, narrow eyes.
Although he is unable to walk, villagers believe Pranshu is a divine child and have nicknamed him 'Lord Ganesha'.
Every Thursday, Pranshu meets worshippers outside a mosque near his village, as his father has decided not to let devotees enter the family home due to their ever-increasing numbers.
Jaswinder, a local villager who comes to see Pranshu, said: “People come to see Pranshu as they believe he is the reincarnation of the Ganesha.
"People bow down their heads in front of him, I also do the same.”
Pranshu’s dad Kamlesh also believes that his son is not like other children.
He said: “He is a God. I also worship him like the other villagers. His whole body is like the Lord Ganesha.
"He gives blessings to everyone. Villagers who meet him get their whishes fulfilled.
"He goes to school everyday and when people see my son, they welcome him with flowers.”
According to Kamlesh, the resemblance to Ganesha was visible as soon as his son was born.
He said: “His eyes were like Lord Ganesha. He was born with a big head and even now the size of his head is growing.”
And little Pranshu has embraced his position as a religious icon to his adoring flock.
He said: “I look like Ganesha Ji and people don’t even know my real name. My teachers also worship me at the school. My friends don’t bully me at all as they believe I am Lord Ganesha.”
“I am happy when people call me Ganesha Ji. It makes me happy. I want to be like this only. I am happy with my big head and face.”
The boy comes from a poor family - his father, a daily labourer, earns less than £4 per day.
Pranshu has four siblings, including an elder brother who has the same medical condition.
Kamlesh said: “My elder son is also having the same condition but he can walk properly unlike Pranshu.”
Pranshu was taken to a local doctor a year after his birth but they were unable to offer a definitive diagnosis or offer any treatment.
Kamlesh added: “I also took him to a doctor when he was born. The doctors failed to cure him and said it was due to the pollution.”