Unemployed and a father, Faruk today is recognised as one of the rare experts on dinosaur eggs commonly found in remote parts of this tribal district. Though each of these eggs is worth a king's ransom, recognition and remuneration seem to have passed Faruk by.

Born in a poor family at Dahod, Faruk first tasted success during his school and college days, when he represented Gujarat and Western Railways several times in hockey, football and kabaddi at the national-level. The meritorious B Com graduate from the local government college was then appointed by Panchmahals Cement Company, Dahod, as mines manager where he worked for 16 years, before the company wound up its business.

A qualified person in surveying rocks and their scientific characteristics, Faruk was first exposed to fossils in 1986 when he officially associated with paleontologists from M S University. Associations with scientists and geologists from New Delhi Geological Survey of India, Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta and the Texa Technical University (USA) followed. He claims that all took his help in getting to the spot and confirming the presence of fossils (bones and eggs) here in these remote areas.

``Though all acknowledge my contribution, I never get paid for it. Nor do I want any. But now, after serving my obsession for dino-eggs for over two years, I am absolutely broke. I have become a liability for my family, community and myself. I want a job. My only condition is that I be allowed to continue with my passion for the fossils,'' says Faruk.

A member of the World Dinosaur Society, New York, Faruk today knows what his priority is. ``I have to save my country's heritage -- fossilised eggs -- as nowhere in the world is there such a big hatchery of jurassic age reptiles. Though the government has not yet taken the required steps to preserve, protect and promote these sites in Mirakhedi area in Jhalod taluka of Dahod, I am ready to work for them, free of charge,'' he says. However, when questioned for how long, he doesn't answer.

He says he receives experts and senior authorities from all over the country and abroad and guides them, but admits that in the end he is a nowhere man.