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At the age of 18 he was mistaken for a baby and
labelled a circus freak, but 3ft tall Azad Singh has achieved his dreams
of becoming a teacher - the world's smallest to be precise.
Mr Singh has a rare genetic disorder which meant he stopped growing at
the age of five and at the age of 22 is trapped in a child's body.
He teaches computer skills at an all-girls school in Haryana, India,
where his teenage students tower over him.
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To address his pupils, Mr Singh stands on a table so that he is high
enough to reach the whiteboard.
Because he measures just 3ft tall and weighs 2st 13lbs his pupils
affectionately call him 'Chotu' which means 'Little Sir'.
Mr Singh, who earns 10,000 rupees a month (£120) and has to wear clothes
designed for seven-year-olds says the nickname doesn't bother him.
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'I don't mind, I've achieved what I always wanted. People treat me
differently now I have a job - with some respect,' he told The Sun.
At the age of 18 a train guard embarrassed Mr Sing by mistaking him for
a baby. At school he was bullied because of his size, and became so
terrified by threats that he would be kidnapped by a circus he was
afraid to go out.
But he said the childhood taunts were character building and led him to
where he is today. Mr Singh added: 'Bullies have made me strive hard to
achieve my goals.'
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His 19-year-old sister, Laxmi, also has the same disorder, but their
parents could not afford the hormone injections necessary to encourage
growth.
His youngest sister Suman is 15 and attends the secondary school where
he teaches in Gurgaon, Badshapur and drives him to work every day on her
moped.
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She said: 'He has made me very proud.'
Mr Singh's mother Parvati, 52, said: 'He has finally found happiness.' |