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CELEBRATED memory wizard Karan Beri has just completed two workshops to help him develop his special skills and to prepare for the coming World Memory Championship.
Following the publicity that surrounded his first appearance at last year's event, the 21-year-old received many accolades and offers of support including the sessions staged by a human development and training organisation.
Karan, from Adliya, said: "It was very exciting and the exercises were interesting as well."
He has a mild version of autism - Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and has a special gift of being able to remember the exact day of any given date and year.
Many individuals with the condition exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area.
The two workshops, which would normally have cost around BD500 in total, focused on 'photo-reading' and 'memory and mind-mapping' and were run by The Makeover Experience, a Bahrain-based company that concentrates on enhancing personal and professional skills, increasing capabilities and fulfilling the highest potential through creativity, innovation and transformational change.
Dr Leila Edwards, its senior consultant and co-owner, said: "We were very impressed that although Karan suffers from AS he was committed to go further and not give up after going through difficult times being teased and made fun of.
"He also has some very special learning abilities. What also really pleased us was that his mother Gopika was insistent on him pursuing a mainstream education.
"We hope to help him develop his skills in time for this year's World Memory Championship."
A date for the event is still to be fixed although it is due to be held for a second consecutive year in Bahrain.
Karan is a student at the Bahrain Institute of Hospitality and Retail pursuing the American Hotel and Lodging Diploma.
He has also worked as an intern with the Best Western Hotel in Juffair and Al Dar Resort to learn the ropes of the sector.
Karan was recently presented with a special award for his efforts during the Indian Club's recent May Queen 2008 beauty pageant held at the venue in Manama.
