Zero to Hero No 1

Lokesh Kumar, who ran away from home at age six, is now making waves on the idiot box; wants to help street children in future

Lokesh Kumar, who ran away from home at age six, is now making waves on the idiot box; wants to help street children in future

From a runaway urchin to a TV sensation, Lokesh Kumaru00a0 (22) is a success story. Rising rose from the streets he bagged the best performance award in Hero No 1, a state talent show program organised by a private TV channel.

The show had movie stars as jurors, who lauded his performance, and assured him a place in Sandalwood. After winning the award among 600 participants, Lokesh is currently involved in another TV program 'Nakra Bakra', akin to MTV's Bakra program.

Lokesh is studing law and also sells paintings to make a living

Hailing from Tumkur district, Lokesh ran away from home at age six because of a troubled family atmosphere. "My father used to fight with my mom, who later ran away after losing her mental balance.

My stepmother started harassing me, and forced me to do household chores, and wouldn't allow me to go to school. I couldn't take her daily harassment, and got into a Bangalore-bound train," Lokesh recalls.

Once in the city, he started doing odd jobs and slept on railway platforms, before he was noticed by Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota (BOSCO), a city based NGO that works for street children.

BOSCO took Lokesh under their wing and encouraged him to study. "I loved watching movies and aped actors for fun", Lokesh recalled adding that he never knew that this talent would lead him to success one day.

BOSCO's executive director, Fr George PS noticed Lokesh's talent, and encouraged him to join the school.
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Today Lokesh is doing his LLB from Vivenkananda Law College in Malleshwaram, and also sells paintings to make a living.

"I love painting in oil and acrylic, and dabble in photography," Lokesh said adding that he earns around Rs 5,000 every month.

A year ago, he reunited with his father and an aunt.

" They shower all their love on me," an emotional Lokesh recalled. "Many people address me as uncle, and relatives gather around me saying they saw me on TV," he added.

Lokesh said that after he completes his LLB, he wants to do a Masters in Social Work (MSW) "I want to help street children who are deprived of their rights," Lokesh said adding that though there are many government programmes for their rehabilitation, they usually don't reach the needy.