Kindness

The Pandemic provided an opportunity for families to bond and brought them closer. Well, in some ways, way too close! Young parents, on one hand, heaved a sigh of relief on holding onto their jobs, while on the other hand, felt challenged as they juggled child care, home-schooling and work. Parents relaxed rules and found creative ways to balance their many unexpected responsibilities during the lockdown and nurture the best in their children. And during the restrictions of the pandemic lockdown, a star was born!

One can sense the excitement in the dancing, bright eyes, as the eight-year-old holds a steady, articulate conversation that sometimes is difficult even for adults. The determined, dimpled chin is held firm, as he speaks of how his Mom has taught him the importance of hard work. “I worked really really hard, and I succeeded. I think my hard work paid off”. Beyond all the wonderful things that one can see in this bright, smart boy, the reason he is having a very important conversation with the UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, is his big heart!!

Abhijay Potluri has a lot going for him. During the lockdown he started his YouTube channel called “Abhijay’s Fun World”, which has a series on Scratch programming, fun math techniques, cultural projects and some heartwarming episodes where he reads to his younger brother. Abhi has a knack of explaining difficult topics in simple terms. When Abhi’s parents were looking for appropriate videos for young children, they found Abhi doing a better job explaining to his younger brother, Adi. That’s when they started creating videos that ended up in a YouTube channel!  He was featured twice on the local TV channel for his amazing videos. His message for his viewers is to “always keep learning and have fun learning”. Now, using online resources, he is teaching Adi art.

With a little help and guidance from his Mom, he first started learning Scratch programming, then created an animation movie “Conquer Corona”. He entered the video in a National championship and received a first prize of $2500. What he did next won millions of hearts around the world. He donated all his prize money to UNICEF! “I saw kids [in UNICEF videos] who didn’t even have homes, water and food and my heart sank”, he says in his interview with Ms Fore. He wishes his donation will help in a little way. UNICEF offered to  feature him in their “Stay home diaries”.

Our community, which incidentally the little celebrity calls home, was buzzing with the story. During our walks around the neighborhood, we often chat with the ever-smiling, soft-spoken, humble Avinash Potluri, Abhijay’s Dad. When we bring the conversation to his son’s recent success, he plays it down. “[the word is] spreading too fast. I am hoping it slows down” to the 20 million views of the UNICEF interview. We are aware how he silently guides his sons to read and research. Both he and Ankitha, Abhi’s Mom, work in full-time, competitive jobs and balance parenting roles. Ankitha recently took a leadership role at a new company. As parents, while being great role models themselves, they work on building strong values in their children. During a recent trip to India, they exposed their kids to people who don’t have their basic necessities met.  “[our kids] have everything they need. We try to create awareness. For their birthday, they had a long wish list. When Abhi saw a charity called BigHelp, he was very excited to sponsor one child’s education and give up some things on his list. He feels a connection to that other child”. 

An exquisite dancer, Ankitha would spend some of her free time practicing her art. “I have been using all my free time helping edit Abhi’s videos. Fridays used to be movie nights for me. These days I am mostly editing.” As humble as her husband, she says she is very happy to see the results, and the way her sons are developing confidence and getting comfortable in front of the camera.

Her son’s act of kindness not only won hearts, his videos and interviews went viral, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas tweeting about his inspiring story. Little tidbits are making its way from unexpected sources like the one from a new neighbor’s realtor! Behind the excitement of the big story of this little boy, I would like to applaud the hard work of the humble, dedicated parents who turned around the woes of a pandemic lockdown into a golden heart’s act of kindness.