S5E6: Wheels & Wings

"Today, life on wheels has become longer than one on the feet. An innocent, bubbling life of an 18 year old got constricted by shoulder down paralysis caused by a surprise accident, bringing it to a standstill. Freedom & joy got replaced by shock, helplessness, anger, agony and pain. How did I and my dear ones deal with this darkness? How did I find hope, meaning and purpose?” a wave of melancholy swept over her as she penned these words when she turned 36! A stage when ‘Wheels’ became her ‘Wings’, taking her far and wide, bringing her respect and recognition, making her a beacon of hope to many. To unravel this real life story, listen in to Ekta Bhyan, a renowned Indian para-athlete from Hisar, Haryana. Despite being rendered quadriplegic, she completed her Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in English, a Bachelor’s in Education and then went on to crack the highly competitive Haryana Civil Services exams which earned her a job as a State Government Employment Officer. Competing in the F51 para sports classification, she has excelled nationally & globally, clinching a historic gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games and representing India at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Beyond sports, Ekta actively advocates for rights of persons with disabilities. Views and opinions expressed in this episode of the Podcast are those of its guest. Creators of this Podcast expressly disclaim any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of this Podcast. (C) Asha & Milind Agnihotri, 2022-2026