Deepa Malik becomes the first Indian women athlete ever to win a medal at the Paralympics Games. She clinched silver in the women’s shot put with a throw of 4.61 m from her 6 attempts. With this win, India’s total at the Rio Paralympics is four medals.
They say look in the mirror, that’s your competition. The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination. Life has always been challenging enough for Deepa but nothing could bring down the zeal in her. She was always daring and determined and her achievements speak louder than the words and appreciations being showered on her at the moment.
After she made every individual proud, she said, “I dared to dream and I have determination to work hard and the passion and perseverance to follow that dream. Women often lose that and I have ensured that my family is not neglected, my children are doing well too.’
Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving. Deepa was operated when her husband was at the Kargil. She got 163 stitches between her shoulder blades. Deepa faced paralytic shocks since she was 8 and by the time she turned 25, she was asked to choose between death and paralysis. Hearing such things, any one would have had a meltdown, but not Deepa. Frequent MRI and seven broken vertebrae could not stop her from trying her luck at the javelin throw which later she dropped and practiced in shot put.
She first won at the 2010 Para Asian Games and then she never looked back. Her disabilities could not stop her from winning medals and hearts all around the globe. After her wins and defeats, she was only getting stronger and Rio had to happen. It was her efforts that brought her here. She knows what being a athlete in India means. She, despite of the hurdles, reached Rio and proved that when a women thinks of achieving something, will do what not, but will achieve it. She has been an inspiration for one and all.
Deepa said, “I want to use this medal to support women with disabilities in India. This journey has been wonderful for me and my entire family. I am proud to be the oldest athlete in the team and win a medal.”
Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to. Deepa Malik, apart from winning our hearts and making us proud of her, has taught us that replace your excuses with efforts and you laziness with determination, and everything will fall into place. We all have dreams, but in order to make dreams come true, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and efforts.
More power to you Deepa!
