Dr. (h.c.) Deepa Malik is a national icon of resilience, a globally recognized international sportsperson, and an unwavering advocate for Ability Beyond Disability. Her life story is a testament to extraordinary determination, braving chest-below paralysis and spinal tumor treatment for nearly 20 years to achieve elite athletic success, earning her five of the most prestigious civilian and sports awards from the President of India.
Malik's sporting achievements are monumental: she holds 23 international medals and 68 national medals across swimming, javelin, shotput, and discus events. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to represent India at the international level in her F-53 disability category, and she is the only Indian woman athlete ever to win medals at three successive Asian Games. Beyond her athletic feats, she is a record holder in the adventure category, being the first physically challenged person in the world to get a rally license to compete in the 'Raid-de-Himalaya' car rally.
Her dedication to social welfare and policy change is profound. She works closely with the government to implement progressive and inclusive policies, having served on the Working Group for the Formulation of the 12th Five Year Plan. She is the 'Clean India' brand ambassador for the New Delhi Municipal Corporation and an expert consultant for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' 'Smart Cities' project on accessible infrastructure.
As an internationally recognized motivational speaker, Dr. Malik has been conferred the International Human Rights Council’s ‘Exceptional Speaker Award.’ She is the founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the emotional health of persons with challenges and assisting the training and equipment needs of para-athletes. Her presentations are a powerful call to action, inspiring audiences worldwide to achieve self-reliance and embrace the limitless potential that exists Beyond Disability.
