|
|
It was never that I was not there. It will never be that I will not be there. Because I am just a concept, I am just a realisation of my own existence. |
Chronology
 Born on
16th July 1973 11.55am at
Army Hospital, New Delhi. The nurse hung the dirty me by the feet and patted me
to make me begin my first cry and there I
was, ready (well, somewhat) to take on the world.
|
 Growing up, I was a lazy and dumb child. Kids didn't want me in their team. I couldn't run fast, I couldn't catch a ball, I couldn't hit a ball and of course I wasn't intelligent too. I remember, in the play school I always used to get stuck with a non-working toy.
|
 I am the corner guy this side. |
 Some help at right time and some self inspiration helped me become a mediocre student. I wanted to be good. |
 As a school boy I always had a liking for running and football but wasn't really good enough to win. Though I became quiet good at it. I got this prize because I was the eldest in the group. I have very few pictures of my childhood, so putting whatever few I have |
 |
 Last picture
before National Defence Academy. |
Will add more pictures of school time once I can manage a few. |
| Life begins at the National Defence Academy | |
  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
My last picture before my injury |
| Life after my injury | |
 Not
being able to move, not being able to breathe, not being able to speak,
tied by my skull to a traction for 4 months in an intensive care unit of
a hospital. |
 This
is what was drilled to my skull to keep my spine straight. |
 This
is how. |
 First
time from bed to a wheelchair, I spent two years in a hospital.Every inch and second mattered in my journey to reclaim my life. "ir-respective" |
| The distance between each of these photographs is at least a million miles if not more. | Thankfully, I never learn (to stop). |
|
During the few years after my injury I did Masters in Computer Management and Lectureship in Computer Applications. I even won a local chess competition. |
 |
|
Khardung La 18340 feet July 2002 |
 |
 I
did some powered hang gliding and microlite flying. |
 Chasing
eagles at 20,000 feet, nothing like it. |
 |
 Designed my own set of controls for driving Manual transmission cars. |
 |
 Lying in a
mountain stream and the ice cold water flowing over you, there is
nothing that can be better. |
|
Mission Impossible. Driving 55hrs without sleep, crossing seven of the highest mountain passes in the world to reach Marsimik La 18,634 feet, the highest motorable mountain pass in the world. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 Mission Accomplished |
At the
top of Sinhgarh mountain.
I
took to driving (with special controls) against everyone's wishes and
advice. and drove to the highest mountain passes in the world.Social Work
Jan Jagriti - 'an awakening' (est 2005)
|
Started on 25th Dec 2005, Jan Jagriti is a project aimed at welfare of children from rural India by providing them equal education opportunities. The motto of Jan Jagriti is to bring about a social change through education and awareness. |
|
ADAA – Apni Duniya Apna Ashiana (Our World Our Home) (est 2008)
|
ADAA – Apni Duniya Apna Ashiana (Our World Our Home), is an effort aimed at helping, assisting and guiding the lives of street children, orphans, physically handicapped children and destitute children. |
|
Recognitions and Awards
|
National Role Model Award 2006 Given by President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in recognition for the success and achievements in the field of social work, teaching, motivation and adventure sports.
|
 |
|
Chief of Army Staff Commendation Army Day 2005 in the recognition of his efforts towards rehabilitation of disabled soldiers and achievements in the field of adventure sports. |
 |
|
Cavinkare Ability Mastery Award 2006 Awarded the ‘Cavinkare Ability Mastery Award’ by Cavinkare and Ability Foundation, Chennai. |
 |
|
State Award For Adventure Sports Awarded ‘Haryana Gaurav’ or ‘pride of the state’ award for adventure sports by the chief minister for the year 2004 |
 |
| Limca Book 'People of the Year' 2005 | |
| Times of India 'Global Indian of the Year' 2005 |
1. Born 16 July 1973, 11.55am
2. June 1991, at 18yrs joined
3. 4 yrs of training at
4. April 29, 1995, a sports accident left
me totally paralysed, and the doctors gave me 3 days of survival. I did.
5. Two years (1995-97) in a hospital bed,
I trained myself in mental calculations and virtual chess.
6. July 1997, in a wheelchair, medically
declared permanently 100% disabled with a 90% paralysed body.
7. 1997 - did
computer proficiency course with Aptech scoring 99% marks.
8. 1997-99 - did Masters Degree in
Computer Management from. Symbiosis Institute and Research, Pune in first
class.
9. 2000 - Cleared UGC NET exam for
Lectureship in Computer Applications.
10.
Designed my own car controls for Rally
Driving and Powered Hang Gliders for Flying.
11. September 12,2004,
created a Limca World Record in Rally Driving by becoming the first to drive
non-stop 55 hrs from
12. Awarded the state Award for Adventure
Sports for the year 2004.
13. Chief of Army Staff Commendation for
Exemplary achievement on Army Day 2005.
14. Awarded 'People of the Year - 2005' by
Limca Book of Records.
15. Named ‘Global Indian of the Year 2005’
by The Times of
16. Received Cavinkare Ability Mastery
Award for the year 2006.
17. Received ‘National Role Model Award -
2006’ from the President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Favorite Quotes:
"The only thing that can
beat the power of the mind is the courage of the heart and if you have both
nothing can beat you". – Navin Gulia
"We
all have infinite ability stored in us. Our ability never restricts us, our thoughts
do. If we think we can we can, if we think we cannot we cannot". – Navin Gulia
“If in your life, you have not
discovered the passion you could die for, your life is not worth living.” –
Martin Luther King.