Deepa Malik is an Indian athlete born in Haryana, India. She started her career when she was 30 years old. In the Paralympic games, she is the first Indian woman to win a medal. At the 2016 Summer Paralympics, she won a silver medal for shot put. She has acquired spinal cord injuries. She had a tumour successfully removed from her spine when she was 6 years old but in 1999, doctors discovered the cancer had returned and that she would have to undergo three spinal operations.
She was warned that she may not be able to walk again in her life, and this was true as she woke up paralysed from the waist down. After surgery, she had a total of 183 stitches between her shoulder blades. She had to spend 2 years learning how to sit and walk. It took a long time to adjust to the body and its problems.
She did not want sympathy from people. She never wanted people to think that she was weak. With her will power, she worked hard and changed the course of nature. She has won many medals and accolades for her exemplary performance. At the para athletic Grand Prix held in Dubai in 2018, she won gold in the F-53/54 Javelin event. She has also received international and national honours for para swimming. She was the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2019.
In 2019, she received the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship. President Role Model Award, 2014, Arjuna Award, 2012, Maharashtra Chhatrapati Award, 2009–10, Haryana Karmabhoomi Award, 2008, Swavalamban Puraskar Maharashtra, 2006, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2019,Padma Shri Award, 2017, First Ladies Award – Ministry of Women & Child Development.
Moreover, she has also been honoured with International Women’s day appreciation Award, 2011, Limca people of the year award, 2014, Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar, 2009, Karmaveer Chakra award, 2013, Media Peace & Excellence Award For Sports, 2012, Misaal-e-Himmat Award, 2012, Naari Gaurav Puraskar, 2009, Rotary Women Of The Year Award, 2007, Guru Gobind Shaurya Puraskar, 2009, and many more.
She has 51 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze National and State level medals. She has more than 22 international medals. Her idol is Indian boxer Mary Kom. sports was a medium for her to spread awareness that one can do anything they wish for, physical disabilities can not stop you from achieving your goals. Deepa Malik did what seems to be impossible. Despite her physical disability, she has made India proud. Her story fills every heart with courage and inspiration. She embodies the true spirit of the Paralympic games and is a role model for every woman.