Deepa Malik
Deepa Nagpal (दीपा नागपाल) is no stranger in the field of disability sports. A paraplegic with a strong resolve, she has won numerous accolades for her participation in various adventure sports.
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Career
Whether it is swimming against the strong Yamuna current, or riding a special bike or even taking a shot at the Paralympics, she has done it all! Last October, she became the first paraplegic to participate in the toughest car rally, the ‘Raid-de-Himalaya’. In a tell-it-all with D.N.I.S., Malik shares her experience with disability and what it took to take the long and arduous Himalayan road.
National and international medals in swimming, shotput and javelin throw are just a few of the exhaustive list of activities that can be attributed to Deepa Malik. A promising athlete, she had participated in the formidable motor sport event the Raid De Himalaya in 2009 and was honoured with the ‘True Grit Award for outstanding courage and also in the desert rally storm.
Nagpal is not an ordinary person. She is a paraplegic, paralysed from waist down, but that has not stopped the 39-year-old from taking up challenges. The mother of two and wife of an Army officer, in fact, turned adversities into opportunity and success. Life took a twist when a spinal tumor made walking impossible 11 years ago. Recalls her daughter Devika, now 20, “I was only eight then and my sister Ambika was three. My father Col Bikram Singh Malik was fighting the Kargil war and could meet us almost a year after the surgery.”
At home, Col Malik’s wife was fighting a war of her own. The Army won the war and Deepa won her personal war. Despite three spinal tumour surgeries and 183 stitches between shoulder blades, she came out a winner and has never looked back.
Dr V K Batish, the neurosurgeon who operated upon her at the Research and Referral Hospital of the armed forces at Delhi, is amazed by her progress. “In the 25 years that I’ve been a neurosurgeon, I have never come across a person like her. Deepa’s recovery and her subsequent achievements are amazing. She’s the kind who can teach doctors and the society at large,” he smiles. Deepa also runs a successful restaurant by the name Dee’s Place in Ahmed Nagar, where the family is settled.
Before her surgery, says Deepa, she was happy being a housewife. “I was very busy wearing branded clothes, decorating the house, getting into the typical rat race. Disability gave me focus. I am now on a mission called ‘Ability beyond Disability’,” she says matter-of-factly.
Deepa says she wants to change the outlook of patients and the society alike towards paraplegia. “The first thing paraplegics do is stay indoors. They must understand its all right to be paralysed. You are alive, so live your life to the fullest. I agree we have a bladder and bowel issue, but there are ways and means of managing it. The world is there for you, provided you are ready for the world,” she says cheerfully. For a woman who featured in MTV Roadies, Deepa admits that she is “a true roadie in mind and soul.”
My ‘Raid de Himalaya’ experience: Deepa Malik
I was born in Bhiwani not with a disability. After 30 years of regular life, I became a wheelchair user due to three spinal surgeries for repeated tumors resulting into spinal cord damage and paraplegia. I could easily compare the two worlds, that of able bodied people and that of the physically challenged. I had the maturity to feel that a lot could be done in the field of disability in our country, starting from social outlook, acceptance of disabled, to their inclusion into the mainstream.
I noticed that wheelchair users mostly remained at home. I felt a need to generate motivation among them, so that they live a more wholesome life. This inspired me, and I set out on a mission called ‘ability beyond disability’ in my own little way. I had no clue what I had to do. But I felt that I had to contribute in some way or the other. Promoting outdoor sports I felt was the best possible way. And then to my horror, I found out, that I was the first paraplegic woman to join the world of sports in the Indian scenario!
Driving was another of my passion. So much so, that I often laugh that God probably misinterpreted my desire of ‘being on wheels’ and therefore made me sit on a wheelchair! I had always wanted to rally but somehow, I was made to believe that my this desire would never be fulfilled in the present life because of my disability. That only strengthened my resolve and I decided that I must take part in the world’s highest and toughest car rally ‘Raid-de-Himalaya’.
Everyone thought I had lost it. With a spine that had been cut open thrice and a bladder and bowel condition, how was I going to manage a long, strenuous, high altitude journey, in minus temperatures? The only person who stood by me was my husband. He let me follow my dream, and told me that I would have to get there on my own effort.
I started my homework. Being an army wife, my first try was with the army adventure cell. But I soon learnt that only serving army officers’ wives were allowed to participate. I kept struggling for three years until I landed at the flag off of the Desert Storm Rally in Delhi in February 2009.
I literally sat there trying to pick up contacts and telling various teams about my wish of doing a rally. Some thought I was crazy, some felt happy about my courage but it was the Pune Millennium Team that took me seriously and taught me all the skills of navigation. Through them, I learnt what were the legalities required to be on a rally and that was going to be a challenge.
I got in touch with Himalayan Motorsports Association (H.M.A.) and Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (F.M.S.C.I.) regarding my acceptance in the rally as a formal competitor. They needed a bit of time, as it was the first time a disabled person had approached them. But I was happy that they appreciated my love and enthusiasm for motor sports and felt positive. I just held my breath back till I saw a ray of hope when they agreed but I had to complete all the required paperwork.
The most difficult task was to get the personal accident insurance on heavy risk basis. Next up was to start looking for sponsorship and a professional to accompany me and form a team. I am extremely grateful to Maruti Suzuki and three time Raid-de-Himalaya winner, Rakesh Diwan for supporting my endeavour. My husband, too, joined me as an attendant.
After a long struggle for permissions, sponsorships, a rally vehicle, a professional team partner and procurement of snow clothing, I found myself in Shimla. Initially people thought I was there to cheer a friend but the moment I got my name stickers on the car and a competitor’s license and an identity card on my neck, everyone took me seriously. I was very happy to see the surprised look on everyone’s face! It was a moment of achievement, a sense of satisfaction to be able to turn a dream into a reality and to prove to the world that disability is a state of mind and not of the body.
We were flagged off on the morning of October 7. It was a harsh 8 day, 1700 k.m. drive in minus degree temperatures. Even on an altitude of 18000 feet with oxygen shortage, I was able to sustain it all. It was tiring but the adrenaline rush was so high that I never felt tired. During the rally, we were in third position in the adventure category until an unfortunate accident happened.
The car ahead of us braked suddenly and our car skidded and hit the snowy road. The radiator developed a crack and the rest of the journey was completed filling up water every few k.m.s. That made our journey even more challenging and longer in terms of time. But on the whole, the experience was amazing. And I was awarded the TRUE GRIT TROPHY for outstanding courage.
More than the trophy, what made me happy was the declaration by H.M.A. official, Manjeev Bhalla that henceforth disabled persons will also be eligible to compete in the rally. I was thrilled that my efforts opened doors for people with disabilities to the world of motor sports.
Sometimes we take it for granted that a particular thing or activity is not meant for disabled people. Society then reinforces that belief. It happened to me as well when I decided to go for motor biking. But once I was determined, I did not only get a special bike designed but also made it on record time.
I feel that it is important for one to think beyond the stereotype and follow your heart.
Rio Paraolympics (Sept. 2016)
Deepa Malik bagged a silver medal in the Women's Shot Put - F53 event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games on 12 Sept. 2016 with a personal best throw of 4.61 metres.
With this historic achievement, Deepa became the first Indian woman ever to clinch a medal at the Paralympic Games.
In the event, Fatema Nedham of Bahrain clinched the gold medal with a best throw of 4.76m and Greece's Dimitra Korokida won bronze with a throw of 4.28m, which was also her season best.
Awarded Padma Shri Award
Deepa Nagpal Malik was awarded Padma Shri Award byh Government of India, on 26 January 2017 for her excellence in sports.
Awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna-2019
राष्ट्रपति रामनाथ कोविंद ने रियो पैरालिंपिक-2016 में पदक जीतने वालीं पहली भारतीय महिला ऐथलीट दीपा नागपाल मलिक को गुरुवार 29.8.2019 को राजीव गांधी खेल रत्न से सम्मानित किया। एशियन गेम्स और कॉमनवेल्थ गेम्स में गोल्ड मेडल जीतने वाले पहलवान बजरंग पूनिया भी इस अवॉर्ड के लिए चुना गया लेकिन वह भारत में नहीं हैं और उन्हें बाद में यह अवॉर्ड सौंपा जाएगा। हरियाणा के भिवानी में जन्मीं दीपा नागपाल मलिक ने 2016 में रियो पैरालिंपिक में शॉट पुट में सिल्वर मेडल जीता था। इसके अलावा उन्होंने एशियन गेम्स में भी सिल्वर मेडल जीता था। राष्ट्रपति भवन में एक सादे समारोह में दीपा को इस प्रतिष्ठित अवॉर्ड से सम्मानित किया गया।[1]
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