[PM Narendra Modi salutes the spirit of disabled persons, calls them 'heroes'] Their never-say-die-attitude has served as an undying inspiration and motivation for those who have to battle with disabilities. Many of them are legendary actors, spots-persons, politicians, musicians, athletes, artists and writers.
They have chosen a challenging public life with dignity, by defying all odds and turning the spotlight on themselves. [Government plans to set up panel for welfare of differently abled] There are some lesser-known people with disabilities, whose awe-inspiring stories are worth knowing.
[Mentally ill women 'treated worse than animals' in India] So, here, let's look into the lives of some of the brave and extraordinary people, who are the living legends in their own way and deserve a salute for their indomitable spirit:
Disability: Amputee The renowned Indian classical dancer and TV actress Sudha Chadran met an accident, at the age of 17, when she was travelling from Mumbai to Chennai. In the tragedy, she lost her left leg that had to be amputated.
But, the brave woman did not give up her indomitable spirit and continued to fulfill her dream and profession with the help of Jaipur foot. Achievement: A film was made on the basis of her real life story called "Nache Mayuri", where she played her character. She has been honored with numerous awards and has performed all over the world. She acts in a variety of TV serials.
Disability: Amputee. 27-year-old Arunima Sinha lost her left leg in an unfortunate incident on April 11, 2011. Achievement: Despite the fact that she lost a leg, she did not gave up the spirit of her life and defied all conceivable odds. Infact, Arunima decided to convert her weakness into her biggest strength and by her true determination,
on May 21, 2013, she achieved the rare feat to become the first Indian amputee to conquer the Mount Everest, with the help of a prosthetic leg. Beside setting an example to the world, Arunima also made India, a proud nation when she hoisted the Indian tricolour flag at the peak of the Mount Everest.
[Arunima Sinha on conquering Mount Everest] A former national level volleyball player and football player, she lost her left leg when she was thrown off a moving train by some hoodlums two years ago.
Disability: Became Quadriplegic at the age of 18 on 11th July, 1998. Achievement: Preethi Srinivasan, who was the captain of the under-19 Tamil Nadu women's cricket team during its only victory in a national tournament in 1997 and a champion in swimming, has defeated her disabilities with her strong will. Wheel-chair bound 34-year-old Preethi has an NGO called Soulfree, where she imparts lessons of hope to those women who suffer from various kind of physical disabilities. She gives inspirational and motivational speeches at various institutions.
