A new children’s title introduces young readers to athletes with disabilities who have created waves with record-breaking performances in the Paralympics
Illustrations of Deepa Malik and Sheetal Devi
Sport is more than just competition. For people with disabilities, it can be a path to visibility, dignity, and self-worth,” writes Deepa Malik, the first Indian woman Paralympic medallist, in her foreword to India’s Paralympians (HarperCollins). This sets the tone of the new children’s book. It urges the readers to honour 20 champions from India who have left an indelible mark in eleven sports in the Paralympics. Every year, the para-athletes undergo intense disciplined training to participate in the international games. Through a brief history, the introduction to the book highlights how such sports events for athletes with disabilities, though on the rise now, can be traced back to the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The concise biographies of the athletes enable us to understand which cities they come from, the unfortunate accidents or impairments at birth, their commitment, their discovery by coaches, and their journey towards winning championships. For instance, the story of the 18-year-old archer Sheetal Devi, who was born with underdeveloped arms, informs us of how she studied American archer Matt Stutzman’s use of his legs and feet. This helped her employ a similar technique to become the only female archer in the world to shoot with her feet.
Navdeep Singh; and Devendra Jhajharia. Illustrations Courtesy/harpercollins; Mistunee Chowdhury
We also begin to grasp, through these stories, the need for the necessary equipment, and accessibility to it. Recently, institutes like the Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF), started by the para-cyclist, have been in the spotlight for being instrumental in this regard. They provide assistance with equipment and run training camps. Eleven para-cyclists from India, including Vishvaben Vasani Babubhai from Gujarat and Lisha Das from Assam, won medals at the Thailand Para Cycling Cup 2025, after receiving support from the Hyderabad-based foundation. Similarly, AMF’s young para air rifle shooters Khushbu and Banoth Pavani achieved great heights at the recently concluded 6th National Para Shooting Championship 2025.
A great addition to the stories is the ‘Know More’ segment, which caters to curious young minds. Mistunee Chowdhury’s illustrations accentuate the stories. She uses cool colours predominantly, bringing a certain uniformity throughout the book, but the images stand out because of their dynamism. The athletes are caught in action. Their limbs convey a sense of their precision and skill. Their smiles in the portraits are luminous; their eyes carry determination. At once, we are drawn to them, ready to dive in, and celebrate the path they forged for themselves and for India by making history in the world of sports.
Available Leading bookstores and e-stores
Cost Rs 399
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
