UP girl shines on global stage, wins pageant

Noida: Vidhisha Baliyan, a 21-year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh, became the first Indian to win the Miss Deaf World pageant that was held in South Africa on Friday.
Baliyan was chosen the winner among 11 finalists from 16 participating countries in the final. The South African contestant was the runner-up. The Miss and Mister Deaf World pageant was first organised in 2001.
Originally from Muzaffarnagar in UP, Baliyan’s family currently lives in Ghaziabad. She trained for the pageant in Gurgaon and Noida. She is also a former international tennis player and has represented India in the Deaflympics. She participated in the beauty pageant after a severe back injury.
“I was inspired to participate in the pageant to gain confidence and develop my personality. Through this platform, I also want to motivate the deaf community to focus on the talent they have, and not be upset about what they don’t have,” she said.
Baliyan completed her bachelor’s degree in physical education and moved towards sports. She won a silver medal for tennis at the international deaf Olympics. She has 100% hearing impairment in her right ear and 90% in the left, but she can lip-read and talk.
Baliyan had won Miss Deaf India title in February and was being trained since April by India’s first female Paralympic winner, Deepa Malik, and her team, to participate in the international contest. Following the event, Baliyan said: “I’m grateful to Deepa Mallik for mentoring me and for providing access to all resources.”
Wheeling Happiness, an NGO run by Malik’s daughter Devika, has been helping Baliyan in her training.