Marvelous indeed.
On June 25, 2018 3:39:01 PM Kanchan Pamnani wrote:
Inspirational Devika Malik
Speaking to Devika Malik, there is only one word that comes to mind,
inspirational.
Recently appointed to the position of focal point for people with
disabilities of the standing committee of the Office of Special Interest
Groups, Devika Malik was born a female with disability in India and this
has enabled her to have a sensitised world view. She had a case of
congenital hemiplegia (partial paralysis and weakness in left arm & left
leg) and her mother a paraplegic for the last 17 years; and being raised in
a family of Army Officers, these factors sensitized her towards the cause
of inclusive society & peace since a young age.
She recounts her greatest achievements to us and it goes without saying
that disability is NOT inability:
“I am an *International Para-athlete with* *3 medals at the IPC World
Athletics Grand Prix an*d *Psychological Counsellor* with a Masters in
Psychology from Delhi University. Combining my passion for inclusive sport
development & Peace, I am an active *contributor to the* *Olympic Truce
Peace Campaign* as well as an alumnus of the *Youth Leadership Program
conducted by the United Nations Office of Sport for Development &
Peace* *(UNOSDP)
in Tokyo*. On*International Youth Day 2014, I addressed a national
conference organized by PHD Chambers of Commerce*, expounding strategies
for Inclusive sport development.”
This was not where it stopped but she decided to start her own organisation:
“My mother and I started our *NGO, Wheeling Happiness *(
https://www.facebook.com/wheelinghappiness/) in July 2014, and one of our
main strategies is to *utilize sports for social development & emotional
well-being of people with disabilities*. I also provide free counselling
services to physically challenged persons from underprivileged backgrounds.
The foundation has conducted programs to promote an inclusive society, such
as, construction of ramps at railway stations, sensitizing road commuters
to follow traffic rules keeping visually and physically impaired
pedestrians in view, sponsoring slum children to experience adventure
sports and raising funds for artificial limbs for underprivileged users
etc. As the co-founder, I have also*represented the foundation at the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Malta, Youth Forum*. “
Greeted by PM Narendra Modi and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in
appreciation of service to the community.
Receiving the Queen’s Young Leader Award for working towards emotional
well-being of Persons with Disabilities and their caregivers in India.
Her most recent recognition came from Her Majesty The Queen as she was
awarded the Queen’s Young Leader 2015 medal at Buckingham Palace and as a
QYL her work did not stop there. She tells us of her other commitments to
youth engagement and sports:
“My interview has also featured in the Queen’s 90th Birthday documentary –
‘Our Queen At Ninety’. I was invited to share my volunteer work experiences
with the *Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at British High Commissioner’s
residence* in Delhi. On 12th April 2016, the PM Narendra Modi hosted a
luncheon, where the *PM invited me to acknowledge my efforts* towards
inclusion & wellbeing of persons with disabilities. I’m an *Asian
Representative of the* *Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development & Peace
(CYSDP) Working Group*, consisting of a total of 12 individuals selected
from all 53 Commonwealth Nations. I also undertake counselling for
caregivers of people with disabilities and cancer patients. I am a firm
believer of *equality across the gender spectrum* and advocate for the
*feminist* movement, as the stereotypes patriarchy imposes are equally
harmful and constraining for both men & women.
Young Devika continues to advocate for inclusive societies and had the
privilege to deliver a TEDx Talk and also gave a talk at the *Commonwealth
Secretariat HQ in London*. Her work embodies SDG 10 – Equal Opportunities,
and she is an advocate of the *Accessible India Campaign.*
Search for old postings at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/
To unsubscribe send a message to
accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in
with the subject unsubscribe.
To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes,
please visit the list home page at
http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
Disclaimer:
1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of
the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity;
2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails
sent through this mailing list..
Search for old postings at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/
To unsubscribe send a message to
accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in
with the subject unsubscribe.
To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes,
