Deepa Malik won silver in the Shot Put - F53 event at the 2016 Rio Parlympics Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Games. She talks to Liam Dias about her time in Rio.
In 1999, when Deepa Malik walked into an operation theatre she knew that she will come out paralysed chest down. Her husband was fighting in the Kargil War and they had two daughters to look after, one of them physically challenged.
“I had undergone three tumour surgeries and had about 200 stitches between my shoulder blades, when the doctors said that I had to have an operation that is going to leave me paralyzed for life. I prepared myself for the operation. After the procedure, sleeping on the hospital bed, all tubed up is when I decided I’m going to transform my disability into an ability,” she told THE TEENAGER TODAY.
Malik, who is an Asian record holder (parathletes) in women’s javelin throw, says she’s not that changed as a person since her operation in 1999, it’s just that she’s learnt more about life and the importance of sports.
And she did just that. How?
“I was in the army hospital. When I looked around me, there were all war heroes. I thought that I have medical condition which has brought me here, but these guys have actually risked their life fighting for our nation. How could you not be inspired by them?”
But it wasn’t just that. “It was the fight for survival,” she says. “I was single handedly looking after two children. I didn’t know if my husband would even come back from the war. I wasn’t given an option. I had to be a fighter,” she says.
Deepa also finds her name in the Limca book of records for crossing a 1-km stretch of the Yamuna river against the current in 2008.
“You just have to be positive. Life is a festival that you need to celebrate every day,” she says.
Deepa, while the whole of India is proud of your achievement in the Paralympics, your journey to the tournament was quite eventful…
This story is from the November 2016 edition of The Teenager Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2016 edition of The Teenager Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Recognizing the Unsung Heroes
International Nurses Day marks the contributions that nurses make to society.
Mary Ann Alexander
Bangalore-based, ultratalented singer-songwriter and committed Gen Z icon, Mary Ann Alexander, is slowly but surely getting her music recognized all over the country and probably overseas as well.
Create A New TOMORROW
As I open my eyes to the gentle rays streaming into my room, I am excited.
Make up Your Career!
Preparing for a career as a makeup artist requires a combination of technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and interpersonal skills.
The Rise to Fame of YASHASVI JAISWAL
Fame is the very first part of his name and he has stood by it. Yashasvi Bhupendra Kumar Jaiswal has come to stay in international cricket and it seems to be on his very own terms.
Don't be a Bonsai Person
People in Japan are fond of keeping plants in their houses. As houses in Japan are relatively smaller, they have developed bonsai plants — miniatures of large plants.
WORKERS UNITE!
The Resilience of International Labour Day
He Battles Against Industrialists
Rohit Prajapati belonged to an affluent family. But the poor background of his mother’s family always moved him.
Sudha Murty
An Inspiration for Generations
Morning Walks
Spreading Joy and Positive Vibes as We Stride