\n<\/p>\n
For Ekta Bhyan, the most defining moment of her life came in 2013 when she qualified for the Haryana Civil Services Exam. \u201cIt changed everything,\u201d she says. \u201cNot just for me, but for how people saw my disability. Before that, I often heard discouraging things, but after clearing the exam, I saw the perception shift.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2003, Ekta\u2019s life had changed in an instant. A severe road accident left her with a cervical spinal cord injury, making her a wheelchair user. \u201cAccepting my new reality was not easy,\u201d she recalls. \u201cThe physical challenges, inaccessible infrastructure, and the mental barriers society creates, all of it felt overwhelming at first.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n But she refused to let circumstance define her. With her parents\u2019 unwavering support, she resumed her studies within a year of the accident. \u201cEducation gave me hope; it empowered me to believe I could still live an independent life.\u201d She completed her graduation and post-graduation, and soon after, she cleared the Haryana Civil Services Exam.<\/strong><\/p>\n Initially, her only goal was to achieve financial independence. But after 2013, Ekta felt ready to explore something new, that\u2019s when she discovered para sports.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIn 2016, I won my first national and international medals,\u201d she smiles. \u201cSports gave me a platform to voice not just for myself, but for my entire community. It made me realise that people with disabilities are not included in every sphere, especially education, employment, and sports. We still have a long way to go, but every step forward matters.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n There were, of course, moments of doubt. \u201cAfter my injury, I often questioned my abilities,\u201d she admits. \u201cPeople would say discouraging things when they saw me in a wheelchair. But my parents taught me to ignore the noise. Once I started excelling in acade<\/strong><\/p>\n Ekta\u2019s message is simple but powerful: \u201cCircumstances don\u2019t define you, your hard work does.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the years, she\u2019s faced underestimation countless times, for being Woman with disability. \u201cAfter my accident, when I resumed my studies, people told my parents, \u2018What\u2019s the use of educating her? She\u2019ll never be independent.\u2019 But instead of replying to them, I decided to prove them wrong through my work,\u201d she says. \u201cYour actions will always speak louder than your words.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond her medals and professional achievements, Ekta\u2019s mission now is to improve literacy and employment rates for women with disabilities in India. \u201cThe literacy rate among women with disabilities is still very low, and the employment rate is below 10%,\u201d she says. \u201cWe need more inclusion, not just in words, but in action.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Her<\/strong> messa<\/strong>g<\/strong>e to other women <\/strong>is<\/strong> one born of l<\/strong>ived experience:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t need to<\/strong> be perfect. We j<\/strong>ust need to prioritise what truly matters to us. Know your worth, don\u2019t live to prove <\/strong>i<\/strong>t to othe<\/strong>r<\/strong>s. Fo<\/strong>cu<\/strong>s on your pas<\/strong>s<\/strong>ion, <\/strong>ta<\/strong>k<\/strong>e<\/strong> that fir<\/strong>s<\/strong>t<\/strong> <\/strong>step, an<\/strong>d<\/strong> y<\/strong>o<\/strong>u<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>ll see how people begin <\/strong>t<\/strong>o<\/strong> <\/strong>follow you. The strength an<\/strong>d<\/strong> power you n<\/strong>e<\/strong>ed are already with<\/strong>in you<\/strong>.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLife is not in our hands, but living is. So live, with passion, with purpose, and with courage.<\/p>\n Please follow and like us:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n