Kshitij Shandilya, a para-athlete with numerous medals and achievements to his name in Club throw shot put, couldn’t contain his excitement to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural address. He has an 85% disability of Cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user by birth.
He was visibly excited to witness PM Modi live for the first time in his life at the International Museum Expo 2023 for what he considered was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. The event brought him happiness that would add to the valour with which he has been leading his life till now.
In a conversation, Kshitij revealed how he would readily accept a computer job from the government if there ever comes an opportunity in the future. Otherwise, he would start a startup along with his mother to sell clothes. Crediting his mother for his achievements, he said “Ek medal hamari Maa ko bhi milna chaiye kyuki hmari maa ke life main kabhi holiday nahi hota (My mother should get a medal too as she hasn’t ever had a holiday), “ said Kshitij.
His mother, Neelam Shandilya, told us that Kshitij’s father disowned him after he learnt. However, his mother did not give up on her motherhood. She took the responsibility of bringing up her child alone, with all the difficulties one can only imagine. “Ye chal nahi paaya isliye fir iske father ne, iski family ne ise throw kardiya. Aur aaj ye 20 saal ka hogaya hai, mai single hi handle kar rahi hu (His father and family disowned him because he couldn’t walk. He is 20 years old and I have been raising him alone), ” said Mrs Neelam.
His disability, however, could never become a hurdle in his constant pursuit of success. He is a passionate sports athlete, has participated in numerous tournaments and won most of them. He won 9 gold medals at the 14th, 15th & 16th national para-athletic championships for cerebral palsy in 2018, 2019 & 2020. He also participated in the national cerebral palsy games 2018 in Nadiad, Gujarat, and won 2 gold medals. He has also been awarded the “Best Para Athlete award” in 2021 by Magic Book of Record.
The experience wasn’t all so smooth: I faced trouble going to the lavatory at the event.
After the event’s conclusion, Kshitij had to go to the washroom but couldn’t as the disabled person’s washroom was inaccessible. Even after several complaints to the concerned management authority, they didn’t respond to it in the way they should have and had no proper answers for this mismanagement. At last, Kshitij had to compromise and use the gent’s washroom.