Jijo Das at his store at India Bike Week in Goa.
Meet Jijo Das. He is 26. This youth with Down syndrome proudly calls himself a superhero and boasts that his extra chromosome allows him to explore beyond human capacities and delve into areas that otherwise seem impossible. “I love motorcycles, racing and road trips,” quips Jijo, a motorsports photographer who captures the speed of motorsport and the emotions of the riders. Nurturing his multiple hobbies and interests, Jijo is an award-winning photographer, an artist, illustrator and a drummer too. Parents Anirban and Moushumi Das as well as elder brother Aniket are the wind beneath Jijo’s wings.
Jijo was in Goa last weekend after being recognised as IBW People for his work in Motorsport photography. Though not very articulate, Jijo can communicate and share his experience in his own words, he exclaims, “India Bike Week is amazing! I meet so many new people who appreciate my work so much. They are so happy to see me. My stall was looking so nice, and I saw motorcycles doing jumping-japang! Full energy!”
Down syndrome is a genetic condition resulting from the third copy of the 21st chromosome and there are about 30,000 cases in India every year. In Jijo’s case, he is intellectually challenged with a low IQ. Jijo takes time to understand something, is very innocent and trusts everyone completely.
His immensely high levels of Emotional Quotient (EQ) surprises everyone and his innate ability to see the good and beauty in the world, to radiate joy and happiness, and to offer a unique perspective on life with the ability to change others’ perceptions. He has a brand of his own ‘Art of My Optimus’ and through his upcoming online store Jijo will sell his paintings, and his merchandise that have his art.
“I do art studies, paint and sketch. I shoot many photographs and get ideas with light and shadow. I participate in many competitions, and they show my work in exhibitions. Slowly everyone in the world will see my work and studios will call me,” he is optimistic. Jijo has been brought up being made to feel no different than the rest. “My family is my team,” says Jijo who does not forget to include cook Suvinder Rajak as his family.
“The world is so beautiful. There are so many kind people, always helping each other. The sky is always like a painting and all the wildlife is the best. I love nature and all landscapes,” says Jijo who does motorsport photography, along with a wide range of photography styles, paintings and illustrations that can be found in his Instagram handle - @artofmyoptimus
Some of his wow moments were when Jijo won ‘#LotsofSocks Design competition and when he bagged the ‘Judge’s Choice Award’ for My Perspective Photography competition (international) and when he was inducted as IBW People and was showcased at India Bike Week 2024.
“It started with Trail Attack in Big Rock Dirt Park. I learnt photography from my brother Aniket who said go, run to take photos of bikes. Big Rock Dirt Park called me up, come and take photos of the bikes. I did it,” recalls Jijo. The year 2024 gifted him great opportunities – Jijo’s photographs were in the ‘My Perspective’ exhibition in London and he has been an official photographer at four events – Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 launch, Young Designers India Bengaluru Meet-up and Bigrock Dirtpark's Xtreme Enduro 2024.
Jijo’s goals are fixed - ‘To be a concept artist in Disney-Pixar, Dreamworks, Blu Sky, Marvel, and DC, to be a photographer at the Dakar Rally as well as to spread happiness in the whole world!’ and to achieve these, Jijo is working hard by shooting with his DSLR, sketching and painting every day to get new ideas.
To enhance his photography skills, he goes to Big Rock Dirtpark and shoots many races. As he says, “They are my best. I am exercising and getting fit also. I am experimenting and learning new styles from my brother and my friends. I will keep improving and become fit also to go to the Dakar Rally!”
Jijo’s family are his biggest supporters. Father is his best friend and travel buddy, mother teaches him many life skills to become independent, good human being and brother is his manager, and teacher for art, design and photography. “He is my hero and my best friend forever,” Jijo speaks his heart out.
“I love travelling and road trips with music! I love to watch animated movies on the weekends. Painting, sketching, drumming and photography are my world. I am always chilling with music!” says the Bengaluru youth, who has a clear message to others like him, “Down Syndrome is your power. You have an extra chromosome, and you are a superhero! You can do everything!”
