National Sports Day: Famous Para-Athlete Champions Taking India To The Internationals!

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They say a woman can do anything! Yes, from glorifying in different fields to taking the country to the international level, they are doing everything. Even when life hits them hard, they do not back off!

On the occasion of National Sports Day, here’s a tribute and a sincere thank you to some of those path-breaking female para-athlete champions who have glorified India in the world of para-sports.

Deepa Malik

An international para-athlete from Haryana, Deepa was diagnosed with a spinal tumour in 1999. She went through three surgeries and with 183 stitches in her shoulder blades for 14 years, Deepa was left paralysed from the waist down.

She became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Paralympic Games in 2016. An Arjuna awardee, she is currently the world number one in the F-53 category and the only Indian female para-athlete to win medals in three consecutive Asian Para Games (2010, 2014, 2018).

Participation & Achievements

National and State level medals – 51 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze
International medals – 23

Holds An Official IPC Asian Record In Javelin F-53 Category – Felicitated by Milkha Singh and P.T.Usha
Holds All Three National Records In Throws [Discus, Javelin, Shot-put] In F-53 Category
Holds All Three National Records In S-1 Swimming Category [Back Stroke, Breast Stroke, Free Style]

President Role Model Award
Arjuna Award
Haryana Karambhoomi Award
Padmashri Award
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
Karamaveer Chakra award

Karamjyoti Dalal

An international para-athlete from Haryana, Karamjyoti fell from the terrace, which affected her motor sensation.

Currently a coach at Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Haryana, she was a kabaddi player before her accident.

Participation & Achievements

Two Bronze medals at Asian Games, 2014
Ranked as world no. 8 at Asian Games 2014
Bronze Medal at World Para-Athletic Championship, 2014
Gold Medal at Fazaa Grand Prix, 2017

Manasi Joshi

An international para-badminton player from Mumbai, Manasi lost her leg in an accident in 2011.

A software engineer based out of Gujarat, she created history by clinching gold at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in 2019.

Participation & Achievements Asian Para Games, 2018

Silver medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2015
Bronze medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2017
Bronze medal at Asian Para-Badminton Championship, 2016
Bronze medal at Para-Badminton International Women’s singles, 2018
Bronze medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
Gold medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2019

Ekta Bhyan

An international para-athlete from Haryana, Ekta met with a road accident damaging her spinal cord in 2003.

She made a record by winning gold at the Asian Para Games in 2018. She also earned one gold and one bronze at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, 2019.

Participation & Achievements

Silver medal at IPC Grand Prix, 2016
Gold medal at National Para Athletics Championships, 2016
Two Gold medals at National Para Athletics Championships, 2017
Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
Gold medal at IPC Grand Prix, 2018
Bronze medal at IPC Grand Prix, 2018
Two Gold medals at National Para Athletics Championships, 2018
Bronze medal at National Para Athletics Championships, 2018
National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, 2018
State Award by Honourable Governor of Haryana, 2018
ESPN Athlete of the Year (Para Athlete), 2018

Jennitha Anto

A Woman International Master from Tamil Nadu, Jennitha caught polio at age three.

She is a six-time champion of the World Chess Championship for the Physically Disabled conducted by IPCA, consecutively from 2013 to 2017 & 2019.

Participation & Achievements

Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
Two Silver medals at Asian Para Games, 2018
Bronze medal at Asian Para Games, 2018

Parul Parmar

An international para-badminton player from Gujarat, Parul was afflicted by Poliomyelitis at a young age.

She is a three-time world champion, ranked world number one in para-badminton women’s singles SL3 and was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2009 by the Government of India and Eklavya Award by the Government of Gujarat.

Participation & Achievements

Bronze medal at Asian Para Games, 2010
Silver medal at Asian Para Games, 2014
Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2014
Gold medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2015
Gold medal at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships, 2015
Gold medal at Asian Para Games, 2018
Gold medal at Para-Badminton International Women’s singles, 2018

August 29 is observed as the National Sports Day in India in the memory of Major Dhyan Chand, the renowned hockey player who won gold medals in Olympics for India.

Participation & Achievements Details

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When I first talked to Neha, I got this instant vibe of positivity and all the excitement and enthusiasm in every word of hers!

I found her so colourful, so vibrant and exquisite — just like the art she makes!

And before I keep on typing all the good things about her ‘Kolour Theory’, let me introduce you to our ‘entrepreneur of the day’. In our all ‘Passion to Profession’ series, we are going to talk about Neha Nagpal today who is redefining what you call ‘art’!

Neha belongs to a Sindhi family and was brought up in Bengaluru. A B.Com graduate, she also did a lot of courses in Fashion Designing, Graphic Designing and Computers. No matter what she was doing — she was always connected with art — in one way or another. She worked as a Jewellery and Accessories Merchandiser prior to starting her own venture.

Inception of Kolour Theory

When asked about her venture, Neha said that she always wanted to do something of her own — and art was the only answer to her every entrepreneurial question. Painting and making candles was just a hobby, and she barely thought of monetizing it. But it was her family and friends who encouraged her to convert her passion into a profession.

Hobby = Business Model

Neha took a leap in October 2016 — to see if she could really convert her hobby into a sustainable business model. She created social media handles for her dream venture and started uploading her art.

It was complicated, maybe a bit clueless too, but as she feels, “it’s important to love what you do,” and for Neha, clearly art was her calling.

Behind the Kolour Theory

Kolour Theory is all about art — vibrant colours, beautiful designs, vintage collections and lively products — all handmade, hand-painted and handcrafted!

Home decor is not about ‘mehange paintings’ anymore — your house reflects your life, and that’s what Neha does. She likes to breathe life into mundane objects by adding a burst of colours to it.

The artist who lives her dream every day

While I type this, I know it may sound all fancy and fab, but I tell you it’s not. There are everyday lessons, profits, losses, confusion and everything you do not want to think about. Neha says that there is no end to learning, “I’ve learnt that one needs to be comfortable with unpredictability while running a business!”

Yes, running a business is not easy, but if you are really passionate and sure about it, you know it’s not impossible either. For Neha, art has always been her ‘bachpan ka pyaar’, and she believes that she inherited this artistic flair from her mother, who was also an amazing artist.

“I do feel artists don’t get their full due to an extent. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into making handmade and hand-painted pieces. Not everyone understands that,” says the Kolour Theory founder who also upcycle products. From vintage phones to painted teapots, keepsake boxes and luxurious candles, you will spot everything on her Instagram.

The risk factor

As an entrepreneur, one would know that starting up a venture is a big risk, and it demands a lot. You make a huge investment in it — both personally and professionally. Neha believes that if one can transform his/ her passion into a profession, then it’s the best amalgamation. “You never know what the future holds. I never imagined running a business and selling my artwork,” Neha continues. She doesn’t hold any regrets and feels that each day brings a new lesson for her.

Neha tells how her venture helped her in enhancing her skills more. From thinking right from the logistics to the social media promotions, product details, research and procurement, she learnt how to take every tiny detail into consideration. It’s important for an art-preneur, she feels, to explore the possibilities and experiment with the imagination.

Neha further plans to diversify into accessories without breaking her concentration on handmade and handcrafted pieces.

Passion To Profession — Meet The Artist Who Is Living Her Dream Every Day! (1)

Giving up should not be an option

A lot of people, when starting up a venture, think of an exit plan or the ‘other’ option, which I feel must not exist. Neha calls an artist’s life unpredictable but also believes that patience and determination is the key to success. “It doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. It’s a long journey, and you have to remain positive and humble,” advise the entrepreneur who is handling her venture solely.

The final note

“I have always believed that women are brilliant at multitasking. They manage their homes and job/ business beautifully. Women have a ‘never give up’ attitude, and that’s what makes us special. We know that each day can’t be in our favour, and it’s important to be realistic and practical,” Neha ends on a high spirit note.

I loved the conversations I had with Neha, not only because she is an amazing artist but also because she carries the vibe of a young, confident and passionate woman who dreams of changing the world — with one brush at a time.

Got any questions for her? Or want any ‘expert artist’ advice? Neha can be reached by email or Instagram.
Share your ‘Passion to Profession’ journey with us via email or social media. #PassionToProfession

Images: Neha Nagpal