Meet Veekhash Logendran, a gifted toddler who recently earned a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records for identifying 40 car logos in under one minute: from familiar brands such as Proton and Toyota to lesser-known makes such as SsangYong and Skoda!
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle at their home in Rawang, Selangor, Rubini Ramasamay shed some light on her son’s fascination with car logos.
“We showed him our Toyota first. The next day, he started asking us about the neighbours’ cars – ‘What car is this? What logo is this?'”
So, Rubini and her husband Logendran decided to create flashcards and let Veekhash take it from there. “We never forced him to do anything – it was all his interest; we just followed along.”
Within weeks, the boy could already recognise over 100 car brands out of 300 worldwide – an impressive feat, considering he hadn’t even learnt to read yet!
Indeed, Rubini noted that her son seems to have a penchant for learning new things and can memorise pretty much anything, including Malaysia’s state flags.
“Anything that catches his attention, he will grasp quickly,” she said. “Today it may be car logos, tomorrow it could be something else.
“If he sees palm trees by the road, he immediately says ‘Penang’ because of the flag.”
Given his remarkable memory, Veekhash’s aunt proposed getting him into the Malaysia Book of Records. But, despite being confident in the lad’s ability, his parents weren’t entirely sure he would nail it on the big day.
“Like most toddlers, he can be naughty and will only do something if he wants to at any given moment,” Rubini explained.
To their relief, Veekhash behaved like a perfectly good boy and secured the title!
Pointing at his certificate on the wall, Rubini said: “He’s too young to understand the value of the record, but whenever someone asks what’s that up there, he will proudly say, ‘My Malaysia Book of Record’!”
As a teacher, Rubini understands the importance of providing her son with the necessary educational tools to foster his early childhood development.
To that end, Veekhash engages with interactive YouTube videos and television programmes, which have helped nurture his curiosity and develop his skill of identifying car logos just by their outlines.
“Some parents scold their children if they’re always playing with their toys or watching TV. I say let them explore,” she said.
And even though Rubini and Logendran admit their son – whom they describe as “hyperactive” – isn’t always easy to care for, it’s clear he is their pride and joy: a precocious reminder that young minds, even mischievous ones, can hold great potential.