Deepa Malik Biography
2016 was one of the most eventful years in India’s history as far as sports is concerned. Rio Olympics of 2016 saw the rise of names like Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu. But, Rio Paralympics gave us another star – Deepa Malik, whose name became a household name in India. Of course, the name of Deepa Malik was not really known to most of us but once she earned a silver medal in 2016 Paralympics held in Rio, she rose to fame overnight. Deepa, the wife of an Army man and mother of two kids, is glued to a wheelchair since the late 90s. Even after going through 183 stitches, 31 surgeries and a spinal tumor she made it to Paralympics and even earned silver for the country.
Deepa Malik – Life and Achievements at a Glance
| Name | Deepa Malik | |
| Age | 46 | |
| DOB | 30th September 1970 | |
| Place of Birth | Haryana | |
| Currently Lives In | Delhi | |
| Spouse | Bikram Singh Malik | |
| Children | Two daughters – Ambika and Devika | |
| Medals and Achievements | ||
| 2016 | Paralympics | Silver Medal |
| 2016 | IPC Oceania Asian Championship | 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medal |
| 2015 | IPC Athletics World Championship | Diploma (it is basically 5th position) |
| 2014 | Incheon Asian Para Games | Silver Medal |
| 2014 | IPC 2nd China Open Athletics Championship | Gold Medals |
| 2013 | German open athletics championship | Only Indian women selected for IPC |
| 2013 | IPC World Athletics Championship | Diploma |
| 2012 | Malaysian Open Athletics Championship | 2 Gold Medals |
| 2012 | Arjun Award | |
| 2011 | IWAS World Games | 2 Bronze Medals |
| 2011 | IPC World Athletics Championship | Silver Medal |
| 2011 | IPC World Athletics Championship | Diploma |
| 2010 | Para-Asian Games | Bronze Medal |
| 2010 | CP Sports | 3 Gold Medals |
| 2009 | IWAS World Games | Bronze Medal |
| 2008 | World Open Swimming Championship | 10th Position in Swimming |
| 2007 | IWAS World Games | Diploma |
| 2006 | FESPIC Games | 2nd Position in Swimming |
| National Level and State Level Medals Own | 2 Bronze | 5 Silver | 51 Gold | |
| International Medals Own | Total 18 | |
Early Life
Deepa is from Sonipat District, Haryana and was born in year 1970. The girl was born with ill health and golden courage. She was born and brought up in Haryana. Deepa used to get paralytic shocks since she was only 8 years old. That didn’t make any difference in her life. She was always fond of outdoor sports and bikes. Deepa, being an Army-child, has that much passion for bikes that her husband convinced her for marriage when she was only 20 years against a promise of giving a bike.
At the age of 26 she was diagnosed with spinal tumor and had gone through a dangerous surgery. Her husband, Bikram Singh Malik, the army man was fighting for the nation in Kargil at that time. She had 183 stitches in her body during the spinal surgery.
Once the spinal tumor was detected, her well-wishers and doctors actually asked her to make a choice between a paralyzed life or a clean death – free of all sufferings. Of course, the girl chose life. Since 1999, the bottom half of her body starting from her waist has been paralyzed.
World of Sports and Achievements
According to Malik, she breathes sports. In an interview, she told a reporter that people who are like her have lack of motivation and direction in life. She didn’t want to be one of them who sympathize themselves for being disabled. She said that she rather chooses to fight back and make the most out of her life and set an example for others like her. Needless to say, she is one of the most popular names in India today and her life and achievements are inspiring people like her not only in India but also across the globe. She is the only woman in India who has ever won medal in Paralympics. Before Paralympics, she had already won Arjuna Award in 2012.
- Deepa has won total 13 international medals, 47 national gold medals, 5 national and state level silver medals and 2 bronze medals in her life along with innumerable recognition and awards from different sports field.
- Deepa was the first paraplegic to receive rally license for invalid rally vehicle (or better said, a modified rally vehicle). She was also the first physically disabled person from India who received the FMSCI rally license and became the driver and navigator for the Raid De Himalaya 2009 rally. It was said to be the toughest rally in India. She also participated in Desert Storm 2010.
Paralympics
Deepa had participated in 2010 Para Asian Games and then in 2012, she participated in London Paralympics. However, she could not win a medal at that point in time but she had already won a lot of hearts and respect from the entire world for her courage and will power.
After all the hard work, she finally won her first Silver medal in Rio Paralympics 2016 in shot put. She is in a wheelchair since 1999 and even after 17 years she still stands strong and leaves no single opportunity to make her own and other’s life better.
Inspiration
Deepa, after her dreadful surgery, met many people like her. In an interview she said, going to doctors and having physiotherapy regularly was a monotonous affair for her. She wanted to go out and work out. She, along with others like her started a restaurant for a cause and side by side, kept practicing her favorite sports. She, no doubt has become the biggest inspiration for all the people in the world.
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