Thanks to a never say die attitude, she has been able to conquer 75 percent of the disability caused by cerebral palsy. Today she even has a master's degree.
PUNE: Vallari Karmarkar, 34, has cerebral palsy - a non-progressive disorder that causes disability in movement - from birth. She started sitting at the age of six and stood with support when she was 10. But what she has is iron will.
Thanks to a never say die attitude, she has been able to conquer 75 percent of the disability caused by cerebral palsy. Today she even has a master's degree.
On the occasion of World Disability Day Monday, Vallari gave an inspirational speech to 3,000 physically challenged children gathered at the Bal Kalyan Sanstha to celebrate the occasion.
She is the only child of Balchandra and Vidya Karmarkar, who after years of struggle feel that their hard work in bringing up their daughter has finally paid off.
"Doctors say no cerebral palsy child has improved so much. Me, my wife and my sister Mathu have worked day and night in bringing up Vallari," said Balchandra Karmarkar.
Karmakar, 79, a teacher and printer by profession, has a very positive attitude, which according to him has brought them a long way.
"Twenty five years back, physiotherapy was a very rare thing; at home itself we created play exercises for Vallari. Never do we brood, we are always upbeat about life."
Vallari, due to her disability, could not attend primary school, so the parents created a school at home.
"We were three teachers to one student. Later she started attending middle school, in first year only one period, then two and in Class 10, all the periods. She is a masters in Sanskrit now," said a proud Karmarkar.
He says Vallari has an elephant's memory. "What I teach her today she can tell me with the same accuracy four years later." Vallari is a virtual reference guide to Marathi music, her favourite singer being Asha Bhosle.
Vallari believes one should spread the message of love across the world.
"Like we love our family we should love everybody and serve others more than serving oneself and celebrate each day of our lives."
About the future, Vallari smilingly adds she wants to cure herself completely and take care of her parents who have given their life for her.
Balchandra Karmarkar has written a book about the family's experience in bringing up Vallari. The book has been written in Marathi and is appropriately titled "The night is over, dawn at last".
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}