Shooting star trumps disability to stun world

LUCKNOW: For 23-year-old Akansha Chowdhary, childhood memories were always marred by what she couldn’t do. Being born with just one leg meant she had to struggle every day even for the smallest of chores. Her family’s support notwithstanding, the society often ridiculed her. She was 15 when she first saw women practising shooting during a visit to a range with her sister and realised that she might have found a way to prove herself.

“I was always fascinated by rifles. Rather than feeling helpless, I decided to pursue my passion and started practising at the Najiababad shooting range in Bijnor,” said Akansha.

The Lucknow resident went on to win four gold and four silver medals in many state and national-level shooting competitions.

Akansha and many other youth with disabilities were felicitated on International Day for Disabled Persons by the government at Indira Gandhi Prathisthan on Monday. “I come from a financially weak background. My father, who was a farmer, passed away recently. Being a girl with disabilities, the society always thought that I was just a burden on my family. However, my family always supported me,” she added.

“Some people even asked my mother to disown me. I thought about running away but I realised that my family needed me. So, I took charge of my life and did not let my disability dictate my ability.” It has been a long journey for Akansha, who was rejected by several companies while she was looking for a job after completing bachelors in English from a Bijnor college before she achieved success.

She now regularly contributes to her family’s expenses from what she wins in competitions.

“I feel powerful and in control when I am shooting,” she added.

Now, Akansha practises every day at Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi from 8am till 5pm with her coach Deepak Dubey, who also coaches the international junior shooting team.

“I owe my coach a lot. He has been very supportive and I hope I have made him proud.”

Along with Akansha, 10 visually impaired students between 16 and 27 years of age were also awarded for excellence in academics.