Deepa Malik: A Journey of discovering abilities beyond disability

In the second episode of Women Pioneers of India: Flip the Narrative presented by TECNO Phantom V Flip 5G in association with Republic, the focus is on Deepa Malik, the President of the Paralympic Committee of India.

How did Deepa Malik 'Flipped the Narrative'?

Deepa Malik inspires many as she has embarked on a journey of resilience and empowerment. Her life story is a testament to her determination to break barriers and change mindsets about disability. In an interview with Republic, she shared her experiences and how she "discovered abilities beyond disability."

"I am in this new body because I was not born with a disability. Due to tumours, I became chest-below paralysed. With so many taboos with this type of disability where you don't have bladder and bowel control, a mother and a homemaker, there are so many taboos. I had to stop the external voices. I had to tell the world that I'm still the same person emotionally, and mentally. My soul is not paralysed. The simple things of what to wear, where to travel, what transport to take were becoming a question mark. That was when I decided that I have to tread on a path to discovery which would also become a journey of changing a few mindsets and breaking barriers," Deepa Malik said. 

Malik said she was determined to make herself financially empowered and chose sports as a means to achieve this. She started as a swimmer but faced challenges due to the unavailability of heated pools year-round. At the age of 40, she took up javelin and represented India at the Commonwealth Games in 2010. This marked a significant turning point in her life, despite the struggles she faced during this journey.

"It has been one journey where I have been able to win every medal. I earned a diploma at the Commonwealth Games, brought home the first athletic Asian medal, world championship and paralympic medal India," she said. 

Deepa Malik said that she has become a sports activist, advocating for better policies, improved sports infrastructure, and support for para-athletes. 

"I am a sports activist, I am battling for better policies, better sports infrastructure, and support for para-athletes.

Strong purpose

According to Deepa Malik, one's purpose becomes strong when it is beyond oneself. 

"My purpose was very strong. When the purpose is beyond yourself, in the line of national building, you want the whole definition of disability to change for people, to people to understand accessibility in not just infrastructure but in their mindsets as well, the purpose becomes strong," she said. 

"No success is achieved alone. I was fortunate to have a supportive family. However, my journey was so out of the box that sometimes they were doubtful. They thought closing the restaurant at the age of 40 was a short spurt of excitement. There was disbelief at some point in time. In my case there was a role reversal, my daughters would help me a lot," she added. 

Fighting stereotypes 

Deepa Malik said that initially she became more dependent and lost her self-esteem and confidence, as dealing with the disability was not about learning but rather about making herself comfortable in the circumstances of stereotypes.

"My husband was an army officer, it hurt me when he left the army as people told him that Deepa was as good as a dead body. It was not about learning; it was about making me comfortable in the circle of stereotypes. I was only becoming more dependent in a way I lost my own self-esteem and confidence. It was challenging but I became a person of solutions," she said. 

Malik said that women should educate themselves and develop one skill to get their voices heard. 

"Life is the only festival that can be celebrated every day", said Malik when asked about the best piece of advice she ever received.

TECNO Phantom V FLIP 5G presents Women Pioneers of India: Flip the narrative is committed to upholding the principles of equality and respect for all genders. The campaign is dedicated to celebrating the incredible women of today and paying tribute to the power of Indian women.