We want to tell everyone that differently abled persons are superabled

Kausalya Kharthika has become a sensation on social media after her triumph in the televission game show, Kodeeswari. Kausalya who is hearing and speech impaired is said to be the first differently-abled person from the state to have won one crore prize money in the quiz show. Kausalya who hails from Madurai and wants her success to be dedicated to all the parents who have a differently-abled children.
When we met her on a balmy morning at her home in Madurai, Kausalya was getting ready for her office.Her husband A. Balamurugan who works as Village Administrative Officer, helped us understand her sign language. Kausalya started her education at Oral school for hearing impaired at Nagercoil and went on to study Bachelor's in Fashion designing and later completed master’s in Information Technology.
Anabaya Kulothungan, Kausalya's father, recalls how the family has endured a lot of rejectiion and pain starting with her school days. We had to plead with the management to get a seat in a school or college and everytime she has to prove her excelence. But still, Kausalya managed to clear her degrees with flying colours says Kulothungan. A.Kanagalakshmi, Kausalya's mother , adds, " Aana Padippula ava Karpooram; she learnt English just in a year from scratch after her schooling."
'Her eyes scan everything, even the wrappers that comes with gift'
Kausalya's long time dream is to become an IAS officer, but her hearing impairment is a barrier to it, says Balamurugan. Kausalya has cleared the public service commission exams for the post of a junior assistant in Madurai High Court."The preparations for the competitive exams had sharpened her general knowledge," says Balamurugan, adding, "We just want to tell the society that differently abled persons are super-abled and even more intelligent than the commoner."
Kulothungan adds that he had always been thrilled by Kausalya's curiosity to know thing. "Her eyes scan everything even the wrappers that come with the gifts and groceries while her brain filter facts like a computer," he adds.
Ask Kausalya about her routine, and she signs, " My days starts with reading the newspaper, and daily, I read books three or four hours . Even during small breaks in the office, I keep reading short articles on my phone." She says that sh is fortunate to get parents like hers as they have backed her thorugh out her life. "They used to spend a lot of time teaching me even when they'd be busy with their daily work," she recalls.
As the winner of the show, she has got a huge amount as prize money, So, what does she plan to do with it? " I want to do something for the school where I studied in Nagercoil. Buying a house is also on the cards, as we still live in a rented apartment. Apart from this, I would love to visit switzerland and scale the mighty Alps," she excitledly signs away, and her husband hurriedly translate it for us.
How was the show? " I was hopeful and confident that I will win. I chose Tamil literature as my favourite topic and that helped me pick the right answers for the last question." This last question which got Kausalya one crore as the prize money was: 'In which 1948 novel does Naga Nandhi, the imaginary twin brother of King Pualkeshin ii , appears?' Kausalya informs that she has read all four books. " Pulakeshin character appears in both Parthiban Kanavu and Sivagamiyin Sabatham while Naga Nandhi comes only in the latter. This knowledge helped me make the correct choice." Kausalya answers.
However, she says that the question she struggled to answer was one on Mithali Raj."But somehow I managed to answer answer it correctly. I guess my newspaper reading habit helped me tackle it."
Kausalya and her family are full praise for Radhika Sarathkumar, the show's host. " Radhika interacted with Kausalya for about 10 minutes, but she analysed her during the short period and never found it difficult to converse with her. This made the show go on without much disruption," says Kulothungan. " I thank my parents and all my teachers who have been so patient in teaching me. I want every parent with the disabled kids to be patient, passionate and compassionate, so that they can discover what's best in their children, and urge him to follow that," Kausalya signs off.