On February 5, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac mentioned the boy’s painting titled “My Mother and Mothers in the Neighbourhood” during the budget presentation. Unfortunately, Ajunath lost his mother on November 14 last year due to ill-health.

Ajunath’s father was happy after the artwork was highlighted for its theme.

“What I am most proud of is its theme. He drew that painting when he was 10, yet it conveys a great message. We used to tell him about the efforts taken by his mum and all mothers around him in nurturing their children, a report in New Indian Express quoted the boy’s father as saying.