HOME	[ Search site: ] jump to navigational links

Education > Success Stories > Pratap

Pratap has no arms below the elbows and no legs below the knees. Yet, he is confident, cheerful and overflowing with positive energy. Through sheer grit and inner strength, he has overcome seemingly impossible odds to become a real-life hero. Today, he is an Assistant Manager in the National Housing Bank. He works hard and has been praised several times by his Chairman for his efficiency. On the personal front, his priorities are his sister’s marriage and his brother’s education.

Pratap, who hails from Hyderabad, was a perfectly normal child till the age of five-and-a-half. One day, while playing near his house with friends, a high-tension wire nearby caught his attention. The little boys wanted to touch the wire. Pratap found a long iron rod from somewhere. As the rod touched the high-tension wire, Pratap fell unconscious. After four months in the hospital, he returned home, lucky to be alive but crippled below the elbows and knees.

For almost a year, Pratap was dependent on his mother for everything. But, perhaps not being able to bear the pain of seeing her son in such a condition, she withdrew from him completely, leaving him to look after himself. His siblings were younger than him and so were of no help. It was a blessing in disguise, for by the time he turned seven, Pratap had become completely independent for his daily needs. He learned to walk on his knees and to use both his arms to pick up things.

Pratap so far had been homebound. His education was also through private tuitions. He did his Bachelor's degree in Commerce from a college in Hyderabad, but never attended the classes. The college administration did not bother about his attendance. The turning point in his life came when he got admission into the M.B.A. programme of Osmania University Campus College. Now he would have to attend college and face the world. He would also need help for his fees.

Pratap found the courage to get out of the protective confines of his home and to board public transport buses to go to college. He walked on his knees but did not kneel to adversity. He made friends but never asked for special treatment from anybody. He wanted to be a normal young man and thankfully, his friends treated him as one. He says: “I don’t like it when people judge me by my physical disability rather than my functional ability.”

At a seminar organised by N.C.P.E.D.P, Pratap learnt about N.C.P.E.D.P.’s Scholarship Scheme for disabled candidates opting for higher studies. He applied for it and received the scholarship! And that is when his life changed. After completing his M.B.A., Pratap tried for many jobs, in both the private and public sector, but most of the interviews were two/three minute formalities. Without losing heart, he kept trying. One day, he saw an advertisement from the National Housing Bank. He applied, cleared the written test, passed the subsequent group discussion and was finally called for an interview. He got the job.

Today, Pratap is doing well, thanks to his firm conviction in his abilities and to the few who helped him when the chips were down and egged him on with words of encouragement and some financial assistance.

N.C.P.E.D.P.’s Scholarship Scheme provides financial help to those disabled people who have the inner strength to face the world on their own terms and abilities.

Printer-friendly version | E-mail this page to a friend

Main links in the Education section: Directory | Schemes | Scholarships | Specialised Courses | Issues and Trends | Research Studies | News | Success Stories

Other links in the Education section: F.A.Q.s | Links