THIS boy of 12 with a “tail” growing from his back has been hailed as a god in India. Followers flock to Arshid Ali Khan’s temple — often leaving cash or gifts in return for a blessing. They
believe the youngster — Balaji to his devotees — is the reincarnation
of Hindu monkey god Hanuman. But doctors say he has meningocele, a form
of spina bifida where the spinal cord develops abnormally.
Balaji,
who lives with his grandparents near Chandigarh, said: “I love my tail.
It’s a gift from God. It’s unusual but people respect me and bow before
me because of it. I feel special.” Doctors say if the growth is
not removed, Balaji’s twisted limbs could become worse.
