On Rakhi day, disabled Sarita inspires others to rise

ALLAHABAD:Rakshabandhan changed Sarita's life. She lost three limbs (both hands and a leg)in an accident involving a power cable at her mama's (maternal uncle) residenceon Rakhi festival a few years ago. But she has not let disability deter herdetermination and today she inspires others with numerous awards in herkitty.Sarita Dwivedi is a 17-year-old girl, presently studying inclass nine in Kendriya Vidyalaya at Old Kent here. Inspite of her disability --she has no hands and only one leg with a mutilated foot -- she makes beautifulpaintings using her sole limb. She has been awarded by then President of India AP J Abdul Kalam with Bal Shree Samman in 2005 and won the national award of Bestcreative Child (Girl) awarded by Vice-President Hamid Ansari in December last.She has even won a silver medal from the ministry of culture, Egypt for hertalent. An incredible girl, Sarita uses her foot to perform all thedaily activities like brush her teeth, eat food, write and even paint. She eventies rakhi to her brother with her foot. Her zeal and enthusiasm is amazing. Sheis raring to go. Recounting the terrible incident, she told TOI, "It was aRakshabandan day on August 10, 1995, when I went to my maternal uncles house inAuraiya, along with my mother. I was only four years old and as I was playingwith my cousins after tying rakhi on their wrist, someone told us that there wasa monkey on the roof. We all rushed to the roof to see the monkey. There, on theroof, a 11,000 volt electric cable was hanging loose which suddenly engulfedme.'' She was pulled away from the wire and immediately taken to theAuraiya hospital and then shifted to Kanpur where her three limbs were amputatedin order to save her life. Later she was taken to Artificial Limb Centre, Punewhere her mutilated foot was operated. As Sarita's father, Vijay Kant Dwivedi isin the Army, she kept moving in accordance with his transfers."Ibegan my primary education at home. I studied at Mohan Das Karamchand GandhiSchool in Kanpur followed by Kendriya Vidyalaya in Pulgaon (Maharastra). There Ideveloped interest in painting,'' she says.Then her father wastransferred to Allahabad. Here she joined painting classes at Jawahar BalBhavan. The teachers here recognised her talent and advised her to participatein Kanpur Zonal Painting Competition. From there she was selected for NationalPainting competition at Delhi and then chosen for Bal ShreeSamman."I was awarded Bal Shree Samman by then President of IndiaAbdul Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhawan. It was the most memorable day of my life,''she gushes. Sarita aspires to be a famous painter in future. I do not want to bedependent on my parents when I grow up, she adds. In fact she has plans forthem. When I start earning I will send them for a religious trip to all thepilgrimages the chardham yatra, as I know this will give them happiness, addsSarita.She does not feel lonely as she has lots of friends in schooland in the locality. At home too she is pampered by two elder sisters and oneyounger brother. She paints beautifully as apparent from the innumerablepaintings made by her. Her work shows originality of thoughts, sensitivity andaesthetic sense that appeal to one and all. Her hobbies include clay modelling,applying mehendi, making jewellery and talking. She also enjoys playing with herpet dog Sultan in her spare time. "After my accident, I decided thatI will not be a burden for my parents instead do something that will make themfeel proud of me. I feel that a disabled person should not consider himself lessthan anyone else. Infact, they should take up all aspects of life as a challengeand prove that they are no less,'' she emphasises.Her sistersVandana and Sadhana admire her ability and add, "she inspires all of us to dosomething in life.'' Her brother Nitesh agrees and says, "She is alwaysboisterous and cheerful and giving hope to others.'' In spite of theaccident associated with Rakhi, she waits for the festival each year. She hasbought a beautiful rakhi this year too and looks forward to tying it on herbrothers wrist at the auspicious mahurat -- with love and wishes as everyoneelse.