Osama is a round peg in a world of square holes. An explorer and a maverick, there is so much to learn from this free spirit who did not toe the line and carved his own path.  

There is no conscious attempt to be different or sound unique.  There is however, a rare authenticity and a hearty laugh that has years of experience in facing rejection and in turn rejecting what was expected from him. 

Within a half an hour of the first time we met, Osama had successfully challenged my view on education, made me rethink my life choices and introduced the concept of information poverty to me.  His apparently-relaxed demeanour hides an intensely dedicated human who was considered a misfit for the first 25 years of his life before he found purpose. Then he spent the next 25 years honouring it.

Born to an extremely strict father and extremely loving mother with five siblings, Osama had big shoes to fill.  His father, Mohammad Ali Manzar sahab was an engineer, a role model in society and highly respected by all.  In his social circle, he was progressive but God fearing, an educationist and an idealist, a sensitive patriarch of a family he expected compliance from. Osama the eldest, was the imperfect son of a perfect father. 

In complete contrast, his relationship with his mother, Suraiya Bano ji was pure, unconditional and eternal.  He was his most authentic self with Ammi, as he liked to call her.  

Under the strict supervision of his father, Osama grew in a structured and controlled environment in Ranchi, but for two months each year he lived in a village called Islampur in West Champaran at his nana-nani’s home with absolutely no rules, living exactly the way he wanted and learning skills from life.