Talent Girl Dr Rajlakshmi Miss wheelchair world: Dr Rajalakshmi SJ is a woman of many talents. A teeth-related specialist, a talking to Orthodontist by job/line of work, a money-giver (to charity) by choice, a fun trip searcher (for something) and last but not the least, winner of the Miss Wheelchair India pageant, 2014.
The Better India researches/digs into the life of this young independent woman who waged, and won, a legal fight for the rights of people with disability in education in India in 2010, and is all set to represent her motherland in the upcoming Miss Wheelchair World Pageant in Poland next month.
Talent Girl Dr Rajlakshmi Miss wheelchair world
Dr Rajalakshmi SJ is a woman of many talents. A teeth-related specialist, a talking to Orthodontist by job/line of work, a money-giver (to charity) by choice, a fun trip searcher (for something) and last but not the least, winner of the Miss Wheelchair India pageant, 2014.
The Better India researches/digs into the life of this young independent woman who waged, and won, a legal fight for the rights of people with disability in education in India in 2010, and is all set to represent her motherland in the upcoming Miss Wheelchair World Pageant in Poland next month.
Being in a wheelchair did not discourage the young woman from her dreams of completing her (unmarried men) in teeth-related surgery. Also, she also completed different courses in (the study of thinking and behavior), Fashion Designing and Vedic Yoga. She also wheeled the ramp for Orion Fashion Week in 2015.
Her dedication earned her a gold medal in Masters of Teeth-related Surgery. But (what a shame), (even though there is the existence of) bagging gold, she wasn’t given a job!
Talent Girl Dr Rajlakshmi Miss wheelchair world
Today, she is not only teaching as an Assistant Professor in a teeth-related college but also owns a teeth-related clinic, SJ Teeth-related Square. She has been a part of research projects on (the study of tiny chemical assembly instructions inside of living things) and successfully presented a paper and poster in national conventions.
She also the chairperson of the SJ Foundation, which works for the cause of people with disability. After winning Miss Wheelchair India 2014, she organised the pageant the following year in Bengaluru through her foundation.
She manages and does free teeth-related health camps at schools and is also a (related to someone within a similar age group or academic field) trainer for wheelchair training. She has successfully participated in wheelchair basketball & wheelchair dance programmes.
Her work has been appreciated, awarded and felt happiness at different forums. She has really earned titles like A Bold Woman in India, A Positive Hero & A Woman of Substance.
Good at interior designing, singing, dancing, painting and swimming, Rajlakshmi has spanned over 11 different countries on her wheelchair.
“I love driving my customised hand driven car & have mapped different road trips across mystate,” says Rajalakshmi.
Speaking about major challenges that persons with disability face in India, Rajalakshmi says, “The main challenge is the infrastructure. I wouldn’t want to generalise people’s mindsets, but there is still a section who look at physical disability very differently. Disability is just a word used to describe a condition. It can be looked at from different perspectives. Disability can be mental and emotional. The only difference is physical disability is visible. The acceptance is less.”
She shares her experience organising the Miss Wheelchair India 2015 the following year after her win. “Miss Wheelchair India isn’t just a mere beauty pageant where you win and forget all about it. It gives you a responsibility with the title of ‘India.’ The founder, Mr Sounak Banerjee, asked me if I could organise it in Bengaluru. It was a challenge to raise funds. I did my best. Despite the publicity, the funds were less. We managed to get other sponsors later. And we definitely raised the bar from previous years,” she says.
Initially, when she opened her clinic, there were patients who would ask her who the doctor was, when she entered the room on her wheelchair. But that has definitely changed over the years!
The SJ Foundation has been working for the cause of disabled people for over seven years now. They are currently fighting for rights of persons with disability with respect to employment opportunities.
“There is a great disparity in the law that guarantees equal access to employment opportunities to all and what is implemented,” says Rajalakshmi.
Her message to young people is never to stop exploring! “Learn to love your life the way it is, but don’t stop at what you have. Life is an evolving process. Keep exploring your capabilities through different dimensions and avenues.”
With Miss Wheelchair World ahead of her, she is defining her goals.
Apart from the legal fight, she is organising a national teeth-related workshop, expanding her teeth-related clinic to a second branch, getting ready for wheelchair tennis tournament, speaking at TEDx, and the list is neverending.
“I am not only representing India but also the whole community of people with disability on an international (raised, flat supporting surface) equal to other countries. It is a very proud feeling!” she yells.
Rajalakshmi is looking towards fellow Indians for support to win the title. If you want to help her live her dream, vote here.