When an example proves the proverbial...!
Today let us salute the efforts of Sheetal Devi - the armless archer from India who has made us proud by winning a silver medal followed by two gold medals at the Asian Para Games 2022 in Hangzhou (China).
She was born in 2007 with a condition known as Phocomelia which results in the ill development of a limb. The journey of the hero begins when the others perceive it as a dead-end.
Her talent was first brought to the world by the army.
The Indian Army's Rashtriya Rifles unit first spotted her talent, and after participating in an event organized by the army, coaches Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Wadhwan decided to train her.
Unfortunately, the doctors ruled out the possibility of prosthetics, but that did not deter Sheetal Devi.
Very similar to this is the case of an American archer Matthew Stutzman (Paralympics - Silver medalist 2012).
Sheetal Devi was determined and with the guidance of her coaches made ALL her dreams come true.
One day after a ride in a car she put her feet on the steering at proclaimed that one day she too would drive a car....!
These are real-life heroes who have the power to motivate us all. As a wonderful gesture Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman (Mahindra Group), in his X account offered her any car of her choice that they would customise for Sheetal Devi.
She is just sixteen years old (DOB: Jan 10,2007), and this is just the start.
Wish her all the very best, and hope that the readers will draw a lot of motivation from her example.
Cheers!
