DEEPA MALIK, silver medalist, Rio Paralympic 2016 shows you how “LIFE IS A FESTIVAL WHICH YOU CELEBRATE EVERYDAY.”
Deepa Malik, 46 years, is an athlete and the first Indian women who has won a medal in Paralympic Games and a Silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in the shot put. As an adventure sportsperson, she is part of the Himalayan Motorsports Association (H.M.A.) and Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (F.M.S.C.I.). She has undertaken an 8-day, 1700-km drive in sub-zero temperatures which included a climb to 18000 feet. It was – Raid De Himalaya. This journey covers many difficult paths including remote Himalayas, Leh, Shimla and Jammu. She has also been awarded with the Arjuna award (2012) and the President Role Model award (2014). She is working to formulate the 12th five- year plan (2012–2017) on Sports and Physical Education as nominated by the Planning Commission HRD Division on behalf of the Sports Ministry as part of the working group.
We have already told you about her life journey before last year The Extraordinary Story Of Deepa Malik, Silver Medalist, Rio Paralympics 2016. Nevertheless to make 2017 marvelous for all of us from the very beginning here are few things we need to learn from her and imbibe in our lives.
#YOU WRITE OUR OWN DESTINY
Deepa was bedridden at age 6; doctors took one year to diagnose her condition. She had her first surgery at age 7; for a spinal tumor. Post that, next two years was all about aggressive rehabilitation, intensive physical activity and occupational therapy. As a vivacious and outdoorsy person she found opportunity in her physical rehabilitation. It became her way to innovate, discover and drive her passion for sports. She adapted to sports, showed a sense of seriousness and purpose and didn’t let her health be a barrier or impediment in her way. Her spinal tumor re-emerged and at age 29 she was paralysed waist down. Deepa is on a lifelong Tumor management treatment. But all this not deter her from chasing her dreams and turning them into a reality.
Besides the medal in Paralympic Games and a Silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in the shot put. Her list of international and national awards is exemplary and extensive. In the last few years they also include awards like PC Athletics World Championship, Doha 2015 | Diploma (5th Position) – (Shotput), IPC Oceania Asian Championship, Dubai March 2016 | 1 Gold (Jav), 1 Silver (Shotput), Incheon Asian Para Games 2014 – Silver medal in women’s 53–54 Javelin with a new Asian Record and IPC 2nd China Open Athletics Championship Beijing 10–17 April 2014– Shot put F53-55 Gold etc.
Deepa’s grit, tenacity, passion and intent remained unbeaten and she turned around her life. Where most people would give up and resign to a life of hopelessness and despair, she fought grave circumstances, distressing life conditions and exigent physical/emotional/mental/psychological factors.
Designing ways to fuel her passion in a constructive way, she ensured her own contentment and triumph.
#INSPIRATION CAN COME FROM THE MUNDANE IN YOUR LIFE
For Deepa her parents have been her most important teachers, mentors and inspiration. They have molded her to be this strong person. Even after suffering from severe disabilities, she has always been bold, confident and never gave up hope. She says, “Without them I won’t be the Deepa Malik, I am today.”
An early riser like her father, from him she has learnt to make the most of things and turn even a nightmare into an opportunity. As an army man, every time he got posted a he would take up the first available accommodation, which mostly others would turn down as it would be one the old dilapidated British bungalow. Most other officers avoided taking it up as it would be inhabitable. But in no time he would get it painted, change the plumbing and renovate a ramshackled house into a stunning, expansive, vintage and beautiful home. This is how she discovers power and prospects in the most forbidden and negative circumstances.
Deepa’s mother hails from an orthodox, conservation and lower middle class family of four sisters. Even then in her time, she was part of the debate club, a NCC cadet, participated in the Republic Day parade and went on to become the rifle shooter for Maharaja Karni Singh, Bikaner’s rifle shooting team. Deepa believes that her mother is her role model; from her she learnt how to thrive, grow and achieve her goals against all odds.
For her husband when she got paralysed waist down; it was never an issue. He never stops her from feeding her spirit, passions and yearnings. Before her marriage when her parents were always scared that rather than recuperating from surgeries she was busy playing sports and riding bikes. But her then future husband totally backed her decision to ride. She knew he would never come in her way of growth. She was wise enough to perceive that he was the right person as a life partner for her. Life partners create that environment, space and support for each other to soar higher.
#DISABILITY IS A STATE OF MIND AND IT IS NOT PHYSICAL
The biggest challenge for her in this journey has been to find wheelchair accessible places and parking. She battles with infrastructure. India lacks sensitization about disability. Trainers lack sensitizations, awareness and knowledge even though they work with the athlete. They do not study, customize, and harmonize sport sciences to bring about the best solutions for the athlete who is differently abled.
India needs to treat Paralympics as main stream sports in our country. As Deepa says, “The health of the nation is known by how the senior citizens, women and physically challenged are doing in that country.”
She rightly believes that our country will truly become that “emerging, smart and modern India” when the infrastructure, policy, funding, sponsorship, training and opportunities for a physically challenged person becomes egalitarian and accessible.
Deepa had to open a restaurant and become a motivational speaker to raise funds for training. She exerts, “CSR needs to wake up and invest in the health of the physically challenged for our nation.”
An astounding success of India in Paralympics will result in altering the global image of the nation to a 180 degree turnaround to positive, every citizen will get sensitized, more medals will be won for the nation and it will be the best way to keep a person with disability healthy and happy.
#LIFE IS A FESTIVAL WHICH YOU CELEBRATE EVERYDAY
She beautifully puts it, “Life is a festival, which you celebrate every day.”
One can’t just wait on the fence, play the victim card, blame others or circumstances or look for excuses. It is imperative to walk forward and create your own way to achieve your purpose. Even when things, opportunities, support and finances were not available, Deepa found ways to go ahead and did not let any challenge hold her back.
With self belief, confidence, faith and the capacity for hardwork she created the infrastructure and “blood group” of people who stand out for each other in adventure sports. She used social media, technology and core groups of bikers and rally sports person to fight through her way in the country. As reported, “Deepa Malik was the first person ever to receive a license for invalid (modified) rally vehicle, a case she consistently pursued for 19 months in Maharashtra. She is also the first physically challenged individual in the country to receive an official rally license from the Federation Motor Sports Club of India (FMSCI) and become a navigator and driver in the toughest car rallies of the country- Raid-de-HIMALAYA 2009 and Desert Storm 2010.”
Tehelka reported, “Malik set a Limca Book record for riding the first special bike for paraplegics in 2009. When she received a special license to drive a hand-controlled car, she undertook a record drive of 3,000 km from Delhi to Leh and back, through high altitude passes.
After undergoing hydrotherapy at the Spinal Injuries Centre, she became the first disabled person to swim for a kilometre in the Yamuna against the current.”