“When I left home that morning, I had no idea that in the next couple of hours I would be in an ambulance, bleeding from whatever was left of my leg. A reckless lorry driver ran his vehicle over me. There was no one but an old lady desperately trying to control the bleeding. My business partner came to my rescue and we went to the hospital. By then I knew I had lost my leg forever. It was amputated. During recovery, my business partner was one of the most supportive person. Everytime someone told me that my life has no purpose, he told me that this isn’t the end. I often tell people how I have two lives – one before the accident and one after. In a month’s time, I got back to working. I needed to be busy to escape the reality.

After six months, I went to a rehabilitation center where I saw people doing what they love instead of being tied down by their disabilities.They had participated in international competitions and brought laurels to the country. It inspired me. I began to learn cycling professionally. It was the best decision I had made. I cycled to any place I wanted to go to and it boosted my confidence massively.

Since then, I’ve participated in 78 marathons, rode my way from Bengaluru to Hyderabad in three days and won many awards. I cycled all over the state to create awareness among people on issues like road safety and organ donation. Recognising my efforts, I was given the Karmaveer Chakra Award 2019 in November by the United Nations. Earlier in October, I was also awarded the Sresta Seva Puraskar Award 2019.

Those who doubted my future received the subtlest slap to their faces with my success.
I can never undo what happened that afternoon, but I can make sure I make the best of what I have today. People will always give me useless advices. But who’s listening to them? I’m busy cycling.”

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