Christy Brown

Christy Brown

Christy Brown was born into a working-class Irish family at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin in 5 June 1932 who had cerebral palsy and was able to write or type only with the toes of one foot.Brown's parents were unswayed and subsequently determined to raise him at home with their other children. During Brown's adolescence, social worker Katriona Delahunt became aware of his story and began to visit the Brown family regularly, while bringing Christy books and painting materials as, over the years, he had shown a keen interest in the arts and literature.

Christy Brown painted habitually and read frequently, mostly 19th century and early 20th century novels. He was later able to improve his muscle coordination and speech through therapy.

His autobiography, My Left Foot, was expanded into the novel Down All The Days in 1970, and went on to become an international best-seller. Two lesser-known novels followed, A Shadow on Summer and Wild Grow the Lilies, as well as three books of poetry.

Christy Brown died on September 7, 1981, at the age of 49, in Parbrook, Somerset, England. Seven years later, his autobiography was adapted for the big screen; directed by Jim Sheridan and released in 1989, My Left Foot starred Daniel Day-Lewis as Brown and Brenda Fricker as Brown's mother. Both actors won Academy Awards for their performances.

Shakuntala Devi

Shakuntala Devi

Shakuntala Devi was born in bangalore karnataka on 4 november 1929 to a kannada brahmin family.Her father worked as a trapeze artist, lion tamer, tightrope walker, and magician in a circus. He discovered his daughter's ability to memorize numbers while teaching her a card trick when she was about three years old.Her father left the circus and took her on road shows that displayed her ability at calculation.She did this without any formal education.

At the age of six she demonstrated her arithmetic abilities at the University of Mysore.In 1944, Devi moved to London with her father.She was an Indian writer and mental calculator, popularly known as the "Human Computer". Devi strove to simplify mathematics for students.

Her talent earned her a place in the 1982 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records.However, the certificate for the record was given posthumously on 30 July 2020, despite Devi achieving her world record on 18 June 1980 at Imperial College, London. 

Devi was a precocious child and she demonstrated her arithmetic abilities at the University of Mysore without any formal education.Devi wrote a number of books in her later years, including novels as well as texts about mathematics, puzzles, and astrology. 

She wrote the book The World Of Homosexuals, which is considered the first study of homosexuality in India.She saw homosexuality in a positive light and is considered a pioneer in the field.Notably, the first woman mathematician in India, Shakuntala died in Bangalore on 21 April 2013 at the age of 83 due to cardiac and respiratory problems.

"Numbers have life; they are not just symbols on paper"

Gaukaran Patil

Gaukaran Patil

Gokaran Patil, hailing from Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai district, proves once again that will power may sail a person through, despite odds. Though he was born without hands and with hearing impairment, nothing could stop him from becoming an artist who creates innumerable painting masterpieces.

He is hearing-impaired and does not have hands yet he is constantly moving forward with his hard work!”, Shukla lauded him for becoming an inspiration for many.

“Mr. Patil is definitely a big inspiration for all those who give up on small problems of life!”, adds IAS Shukla on Twitter. Alongside Ms. Shukla also shared the details of a contact person for people interested in buying Patil’s ‘beautiful creations’.

His paintings have not only been hailed but also are awarded on several occasions. Most of his craft represents the folk art and culture of Chhattisgarh. Trained in Computer Applications, Patil also bagged a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts.

On social media, not only has his art been lauded but also his dedication towards the craft appreciated. Whereas some saluted him for his craft, some could not oversee his devotion. Some of them also wished to see some more works by Mr. Patil and called him a ‘live example of courage in life’.

While some of us may still believe in the lines on our hands, even without hands some may turn out to be internally empowered. Though physical disability is not easy to get over, will power and dedication can help a person maneuver his/her ways in reaching the pinnacle of achievement.

Patil proves once again patience and perseverance are the keys to win against all the odds thrown at one’s way. He turns his ‘disability’ into a ‘special ability’ in the truest sense!

"Will power may sail a person through,despite odds"

Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla

Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla

She was born on July 6, 1958 in Bangalore. Her father ran a small hotel, while her mother took care of their four children. A raging fever when she was one year old paralyzed Malathi’s entire body. Electric shock treatment for more than two years saw little Mala regaining strength in her upper body, but below the waist her body remained completely weak.

Notwithstanding the trials and turbulences that plagued her, Malathi decided to live life Queen Size, undaunted by the fury of fate. She chose sports as the best alternative medicine to forget her pain, and went on to become one of the most inspiring sports personalities of modern India.

With over 300 medals in her kitty, Malathi was conferred the prestigious Arjuna and Padma Shri Awards. She represented India in the Paralympics held in South Korea, Barcelona, Athens and Beijing; the Asian Games held in Beijing, Bangkok,

South Korea and Kuala Lumpur; World Masters held in Denmark and Australia, Commonwealth Games in Australia and Open Championships in Belgium, Kuala Lumpur and England.Her never-say-die attitude has been an eye-opener to many contemporary sports stars, who often refer to her as the Champion of Champions.

For the record, Malathi has so far undergone 32 surgeries.Malathi works as a Manager with Syndicate Bank and shelters 16 children with various disabilities at Mathru Foundation a charitable trust formed along with her friends. She focuses mainly on polio victims from rural areas, whose parents cannot afford to send their child to school or provide medical treatment.