Form Four student P. Thilakar, 16, became an Internet sensation due to his exceptional height at 1.98m (6.49 Feet)

P.Thilakar

BANTING: FORM Four student P. Thilakar, 16, who became an Internet sensation due to his exceptional height, owes his unique genetic characteristic to his great-grandmother.

Standing at 198cm tall, Thilakar is believed to have inherited the genes from his maternal great-grandmother from India, said his adoptive father, S. Vadiveloo.

Vadiveloo said he never regarded his son’s height as an abnormality.

“To us, his height is never an issue. However, I had to change my car from a Proton Saga to a Nissan Almera so that Thilakar could fit in it. To me, his height is God’s gift.”

Thilakar is studying at SMK Bandar Banting.

“During his childhood, his height was normal. But, as soon as he entered secondary school, he got really tall.

“The only challenge we face is to find clothes and shoes for him as not many shops have shoes and trousers his size.

“Getting shoes that fit is the most difficult because his size is either
10 or 11, while the market’s average size is eight.”

Vadiveloo said Thilakar’s school shoes were pre-ordered from Bata.

“Each year, before the new school term begins, I will place the order,” he told the New Sunday Times at his home in Taman Sri Putra here.

He said each year, the family spent between RM100 and RM150 for Thilakar’s specially-tailored school trousers.

Vadiveloo said despite his son’s adult-like appearance, he was just like any other teenager.

“He is a sensitive person. If he has done something wrong, he prefers if you talk to him nicely instead of scolding him.

“We know that he is a special kid and he will do something great with his life one day.”

He said Thilakar had been with the family since he was a baby.

“Thilakar is my sister-in-law’s biological son and he has known this all along. He has been so close to my family that he calls me his father and my wife his mother.

“We love him like a son too, so we are happy to be his parents,” he said, adding that Thilakar’s school teachers were very supportive of his son.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhdweb