What’s that blur? A wheelchair, actually

Like any adventurous 25-year-old, Delhi-based Rajiv Virat wants to go on a holiday to Leh and Ladakh. But that is easier said than done.

Virat suffers from multiple sclerosis and has been on wheelchair for the last eight years.

However, on Sunday morning, Virat, a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India, took the first step towards his dream of making it to the Himalayas by participating in the wheelchair event of the Mumbai Marathon. “I am here because I don’t want my disability to overcome me,” said Virat passionately.

Sports has always been Virat’s passion. He is now the youngest wheelchair lawn tennis player in India and even finished second in the Delhi wheelchair marathon. “I have a sports wheelchair, which costs Rs2 lakh. It has no brakes and it is lighter and faster,” said Virat.

But Virat, like many other differently-abled participants, had a grouse. “They should have made ours a competitive event too,” he said. The wheelchair race was not timed and nor were there cash prizes for winners. Added Neenu Kewlani, another participant, “There was no washroom facility for us. While making other arrangements, basic facilities for the disabled should be made available.”  Last year, there was a controversy because the 2003-04 marathon forms stated that no “wheel vehicles or animals” were allowed on the track. “We nearly sent a court order to the marathon organisers and they finally accepted our request,” said Anita Prabhu, co-chairperson of the Bandra-based ADAPT (Abled-Disabled All People Together).

This year, however, nothing could dampen the participants’ spirits.

“I could have easily finished the dream run,” said Savita Reddy (45) one of the 10 participants from the Paraplegic Foundation (PF). While 17 participated from the Spastic Society of India, Able Disabled All People Together (ADAPT) too had 17 participants egged on by celebrities like Sunita Rao and Nagesh Kukunoor, who pushed the wheelchairs from CST to Hutatma Chowk and back.

Twenty minutes is all it took Jagjit Saggu to finish the race ahead of the others. “Though there is no award, this certificate proves that I am a winner,” said the first-time participant.

Parag Panchal (26) and Vishal Chauhan (26) were thrilled at securing the fifth and ninth place. “I don’t know my timings. I forgot to check my stop watch in my excitement,’ said Panchal. The duo participated in the marathon along with Manoj Singh and Sanjay Singh from the Ahmedabad-based Blind People’s Association (BPA).

Another heartening sight was 19-year-old Angad Dugal, who has no muscle tone in his legs and also suffers from speech and sight impairment, taking 10 excruciating steps cheered by his entire family.