Thaindian News

Shimla, Oct 11 (IANS) Deepa Malik, who is competing in the 11th edition of what is arguably the world’s highest and toughest motor rally - the Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya - is a participant with a difference, being a paraplegic.
Suffering from a repetitive spinal cord tumor, Deepa lost the use of her legs after three surgeries that rendered her a paraplegic in 1999. Overcoming her more than 75 percent physical disability, the 40-year-old Malik, the wife of a retired Army officer, is all set to conquer the Himalayas with her grit and determination.

“I am navigating for three-time Raid winner (Adventure Trial category) Rakesh Diwan, who is a motivational force for me. He even taught me the skills of a good navigator. I studied a lot about the route of the rally,” Malik told IANS.

“This is one of the world’s toughest motor sport rallies and my disability can’t stop me. I want to change the social outlook and mindset of society by participating in such adventurous events,” she added.

“My paralysis failed to dampen my spirits. My passion for travelling and doing adventurous things is as strong as ever. I want to overcome difficulties, not just for myself but for people suffering from similar diseases,” Malik maintained.

She won asilver in the backstroke swimming competition at the Far East and South Pacific Games (FESPIC) held in Kuala Lumpur in 2007. She also participated in the javelin throw event.

“Now I am preparing to participate in the World (Wheelchair and Amputee Games) to held in Bangalore next month,” Malik said.

“I have also registered my name twice in the Limca Book of Records for crossing a 1-km stretch of the Yamuna river against the current in 2008 and covering 58 kms by riding a special bike this year,” she added.

Manjeev Bhalla, one of the organisers of the Raid, said a physically challenged was participating for the first time.

“From the next time, we will encourage other such people to participate in the event,” he said.

Automobile major Maruti Suzuki has sponsored Malik for the rally.

The 2,000-km rally route is tough and the pressure on the participants is extreme as it passes through the hostile terrain of the cold deserts of Lahaul and Spiti and Ladakh districts.

There are 108 vehicles participating in the X-treme Four-Wheeler, X-treme Two-Wheeler and Adventure Trail categories.

The Raid-de-Himalaya is the only Asian motor sport event listed on the off-road rallies calendar of the Switzerland-based FIM (Federation Internationale Motorcyclisme), which captures the attention of the international rallying circuit as well.