Shatabdi Awasthi was rightly named. The Sawai Madhopur girl would run like the Shatabdi Express! She was the youngest of the seven sisters in the house.

“My father was in a private job in a cement factory, and once the factory closed because of political issues, he was left jobless. Yeah, we lived in struggling times, but we were seven sisters, and none of us ever had a lack of essentials, and best of all, the education. That’s why our parents meant the world to us.”

Shatabdi completed her graduation in 2005, it was the year when her entire life turned upside down. She fell down from her terrace. Shatabdi couldn’t believe that her body below the waist was paralyzed.

“Suddenly everything was different. The situation was worse than my most dreaded nightmare. For the longest time, the treatment continued, but nothing happened. I was sitting in a wheelchair. And even though my family was very supportive, I felt useless. Even if I’d wanted a glass of water, someone had to bring it for me.

I could see that all they wanted was my happiness, and I couldn’t disappoint them. That’s when I decided that a paralyzed body wouldn’t stop me from doing the same for them. I had to make them happy again.

My first goal was to get a Govt. job. I worked very hard and finally in 2010, I got myself a job in SBBJ. I was a Probationary Officer.

But, my life has been a roller coaster, soon after, my father passed away, and I was completely lost. This loss was worse than anything I’d ever seen.”

Well, Shatabdi’s life wasn’t less than a dramatic film, yet another twist came into her life that changed things drastically.

“In 2012, I was selected to go to Kaun Banega Crorepati, where I won Rs. 50 Lakhs, being the only person from Rajasthan to win the amount. It was a moment when I suddenly became a celebrity.

I was transferred to Jaipur soon after, and that’s when I decided to make a change socially. I realized that Jaipur was the right place to begin. For example, we work towards women empowerment, child education, and environmental issues. Every summer, we place earthen pots for birds to drink water, around the city. From April until June, we run a plantation programme. We’re not an NGO, just a group of people trying to bring change in the society.”

“Along with Wipro Foundation, we began with an initiative called Aathwa Vachan.”

“What’s the Aathwa Vvachan?” I curiously asked.

“When people get married, they are supposed to take seven vows, but we encourage them to take the eighthth vow, which is, to swear against female foeticide.”

I was fascinated by this woman. But, I was yet to find out the most amazing thing she had done. Shatabdi continued:

“I wanted to take up a sport to keep myself fit. I’d started with archery, but eventually took up the shot put in athletics.”

“For the past two months, I’ve been practicing athletics. The 7^th State Level Para Athlete Competition was my first ever participation. I really want to participate in the World Championship in July in London. Now I’m aiming for the nationals & internationals.”

Results of the Rajasthan Para Athlete Competition?! Shatabdi has just won 3 Gold Medals in shot put, javelin, and discus throw! The Shatabdi is running again.