![Noted Para Athlete Deepa Malik remain present to motivate para athletes in Vadodara Marathon](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/640x430/filters:format(webp)/connect-gujarat-english/media/post_banners/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/49bd3f18-f5f9-4357-8c81-b3c0585c8378.jpg)
Called on divyangs to come out and participate to get government benefits
"Gujarat always has a special place in my heart as I attended the first camp of National games in Gandhinagar after gain courage to move ahead in life. I spent my childhood in Vadodara and now I am invited as a brand ambassador for Vadodara Marathon which is a privilege and like a home coming to me," said noted Para Athlete Deepa Malik. She will remain present at the event to motivate the para athletes taking part in the marathon.
Padmashree Deepa Malik is the first Indian woman to win a medal in Paralympic Games and won a Silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in the shot put. She also won gold in Javelin event at the para athletic grand Prix held in Dubai in 2018 and is currently the world number one in the F-53 category. She won accolades for her participation in various adventure sports and also associated with Motorsports associations. With her grit and determination she was awarded the highest sports award the Khel Ratna and also a Arjuna Awardee.
She will remain present as a Brand Ambassador and add further sparkle to the event scheduled on Sunday. During a interaction she said the divyangs have to come out and participate to get the benefits declared by the government.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi started many schemes for divyangs like Sugamya Bharat, Fit India and many others to talk about us from every platform. I am live example to take part in active sports and achieve many national and international awards. I also able to get the highest sports award Khel Ratna given to divyang players in the country. It shows the equal opportunity to everyone and inspiration for divyang players to play," said Malik.
Giving example of her daughter Devika Malik she called on every youth to know their duties and inspire such people to move with confidence in life. With Wheeling Happiness Deepa and her daughter Devika are working in rural areas to spread awareness in divyangs to know their rights and get the government benefits. She called for working at grass root level and spread happiness to change with positive thinking.
"With Wheeling Happiness we are working closely in rural areas of Delhi and Haryana and slowly spreading to other parts of the country. We distribute correct wheelchairs to Divyang players, divyang girls education, correct rehabilitation to people, stress management, care giver counselling and many others," said Deepa Malik praising the efforts of her daughter Devika who is working closely with her.
Deepa said her achievements is to inspire divyangs to know their abilities and message to people to see their abilities not disabilities. She said youths have the responsibility to spread the message and change the thinking of the people. She also request every school management to make facilities for divyang students want to study and make arrangements that he or she don't return from there.
Wheeling Happiness is looking forward to associate with Vadodara Marathon and also in future to work for the benefit of divyang people in and outside the city.