I’ve seen some sweet smiles on girls’ faces and then some more, but few as sunny, cheerful, and attractive as the one Dr. Malvika Iyer is giving in the picture. It looks like she’s stuck her hands in her pockets. And then I looked again, and saw to my horror, that Malvika has no hands. They were blown off when she was 13 and had picked up a diffused grenade at her home in Bikaner.
Please don’t ask me what it was doing there, but when it exploded, the grenade took away Malvika’s hands and severely damaged her legs. There was very little hope for her survival when she was taken to the hospital. Although she was conscious, she was in a great deal of pain. That was only the start of her agony. Subsequent to surviving that night, Malvika had to undergo surgeries for two years and was bedridden for 18 months.
But here’s where the self-pity ends. And the inspiring story of her grit and courage to be a better version of herself starts. At 28, she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work from the University of Madras. In addition, she holds a Master of Philosophy degree (M.Phil) in Social Work from there, a Master of Social Work (M.S.W) from Delhi University, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Economics.
I don’t know anyone who would not say she has come a long way from surviving the grenade blast at 13 and wonder how, without her hands, Malvika has done all this. Today, she is an award-winning Disability Rights Activist and International Motivational Speaker, encouraging millions of people to be confident and hopeful despite their limitations.
The President awarded Malvika with the highest civilian honor for women and shortly after that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked her to take over his social media accounts. It’s only a bad attitude that makes you disabled in life.“People would still pity me even if I were the President of India. Now I concentrate on my abilities and not on people’s reactions. That’s all it took to change my life”
Incredibly, there’s a silver lining to her tragedy. When the grenade blew up her hands, the doctors were under a lot of pressure to save her life and made some surgical errors while stitching back her right hand—leaving the stump with a bone protruding which is not covered by any flesh. “That bone acts like my only finger. That’s how I type,” says Malvika. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
About Storyofsouls
Leave your comments on how did you like this story. If you love it do share it to bring that change that we wish to see in the world.
You can also share your inspiring story with us at replytosos@gmail.com. Story Of Souls is an initiative where we invite people to bring their stories to us. We want people to “write to heal.” The idea of Storyofsouls is appreciated by ALL INDIA RADIO. An Online Platform where you can share your real-life stories. The impact of our stories has reached the UN, and Harvard University. On some real-life stories, web series are also planned. You can also visit our Youtube channel. You can follow us on Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
Storyofsouls is glad to inform you that we are now a Google news verified platform.
We are proud to inform you all that storyofsouls.com is the official TedX MotiJheel Kanpur Partner for their upcoming event.
