On a December day in 2011, Kiran Kanojia, an Infosys employee, boarded the train from Hyderabad on her way home to Faridabad. She was excited about celebrating her upcoming birthday with her family. Landing a job in Infosys was celebrated as a turning point in her family’s fortunes.
Her memory is hazy about what happened next, but she does remember two boys attempting to snatch her bag and pushing her out of the train. On the eve of her birthday, Kiran lay in a hospital bed catching snatches of conversation about ‘saving the leg’. Life, as Kiran knew it, would never be the same again.
When Kiran returned to Hyderabad six months after the accident and having her leg amputated, she fought to get back control of her life. The Dakshin Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) helped her do just that. Mohana Gandhi, a consultant from DRC, got her and other amputees to form a running
group. Mohana suggested Kiran to try out a prosthetic leg. When she first wore it, Kiran was unsure if it could even support her. Gradually, the blade started feeling like second skin to her.
In 2014, Kiran attempted the Hyderabad Airtel Marathon and won her first medal.
Today, Kiran, 28, is a champion blade runner, who’s often invited to Delhi and Mumbai to run and flag off marathons. Her immediate goal is to participate in the Paralympic Games and make the country proud.
If you know undaunted spirits like Kiran, nominate them for the Women Transforming India Awards 2018. Click the link here. Deadline for entries: June 30, 2018.