We are back with the second part of Miss India Wheelchair Priya Bhargava’s story – Trespassing Odds, Breaking Barriers To Prove My Worth. So do read this inspiring story. If you haven’t read the first part, we suggest you go back and read it first; otherwise, you won’t understand the story. So do it, and let us continue listening to the story.
Miss India Wheelchair Priya Bhargava – My Story
The doctor came to visit me that evening, and I was thirsty, so I requested to drink water. Tears brimmed in his eyes, and he instructed the nurse to take it down. I lost my consciousness. They thought I wouldn’t wake up again, but I did, and my temperature dropped down.
After a while, I was moved for another surgery. One time, the doctor called my name, and he asked me to hold his hand. I couldn’t do it. I felt paralyzed. I could hear everything but say nothing. Then I began to chant Hanuman Chalisa in my mind. Death was about to engulf me in its arms, so I wondered why not die after taking God’s name.
Post 4 and half months, I was discharged. They wanted to keep me, but I was tired. I couldn’t stay there anymore. So I clearly said, ‘Now, I want to go home.’ They were reluctant, but I didn’t budge. So in the end, they said, ‘Okay, fine, you can leave but don’t come back. It would be difficult for us to admit you back.’ I agreed happily.
Coming back from the hospital and recovery phase was equally challenging, but I was determined to do something with my life. I had it all planned. I resumed painting, crafting, studying, and solving UPSC problems. My mother went back to her job, and my sister got married, so I stayed alone. To kill the boredom, I began tutoring colony kids.
Time passed, and I became popular with kids. My strength grew to 2 to 25+ students. Every morning, I wake up, do the daily chores, teach students, take my medicines, paint, and do many other things. Gone were those days when Priya was dependent on her parents for every little thing. I had become independent. I was earning, paying my expenses.
Then while surfing through Facebook, I came across my old batch mates. I purposely stayed away from them in the past, so they won’t ask me what I am doing in my life? Because all of them were well settled, and here I was dealing with a rare disease. So I wouldn’t talk to anyone. But that day, they messaged me and asked about my life, work, and career. I couldn’t say a thing. The lie pinched me a lot, and I decided to restart my studies.
You know I had given up on them twice, but I still wanted to reattempt. I discussed it with my parents, and they said, ‘Do something in the Humanitarian field,’ but my ego was more significant than my disability, and I enrolled in BCA.
Fast forward to the final exams. I topped the course with 85% without attending daily classes. I used to learn coding through the internet. My fellow students didn’t know who Priya Bhargava was? They only knew my name.
Once, the principal called me to introduce me to everyone, and he said, ‘She is Priya Bhargava. Your class topper. She couldn’t attend classes due to her health issues but studied alone without anyone’s help. All of you should learn something from her. She’s a very talented, hardworking, and true inspiration for all of you.’ His kind words omitted my pain to an extent. They were my biggest reward. From 2009 to 2015, I finished BCA and MCA, and I topped in both of them.
Prabhat Ranjan (Professor and Executive Director of TIFAC) tried to convince me to apply for Miss Wheelchair India Pageant. I kept refusing, but in 2015 I sent my pictures, and I was selected for it. They asked me to send more glamorous pictures.
This turn of events surprised me to no end. I was utterly clueless. I didn’t have a proper reaction to give at the moment. I decided to do it, and from that point, fashion magazines replaced my books.
My students helped me a lot in learning more about makeup and dressing up. A few days later, I received an email from the authority that confirmed my entry, and it said that I was among the top 7 finalists. NGO SJ Foundation organized the final round under Dr. Rajlakshmi SJ in Bangalore.
I was asked about the aims of my life and what will I do if I won or lost? I answered, ‘Winning or losing doesn’t matter to me, but I’d love to work in the three main areas if I win the crown. For persons with disability, for Clean and Green India Movement, for Education of girl children.” I was over the moon when they put the crown on my head. It was the most surreal moment of my life—something I can never describe in words.
The news went viral, and I became youth inspiration within a short span. Journalists panned their cameras towards me only to know my story. Then I participated in Miss Wheelchair World Pageant, and I was promoted as Ambassador of Miss Wheelchair World in India and Brand Ambassador of FOGSI.
Fast forward to now, I am a practicing Psychologist and council member of WICCI National Mental Health Council. Besides this, I am a Motivational Speaker, Model, Educationist, Fine artist, YouTuber, and freelance writer. I’ve been called to share my story on various stages. People know me as a motivational speaker. I’m the first PwD to be published as a cover girl in the literary magazine. My story is being taught in the school and college curriculum. I was one of the models in the Youth Icon Calendar 2021.
Before I conclude the story, I want to share an incident. Recently, my maid asked me, ‘Didi, what happened to your leg?’ I didn’t want to narrate the entire story, so I replied, ‘I met with an accident.’ She expressed her condolence and said, ‘Zindagi barbaad ho gayi (It destroyed your life).’
It irritated me, so I argued, ‘How did it destroy my life? I’ve made it worth living. I achieved what is more like a far-fetched dream for a normal human being. My life is worth living and worth cherishing.’ She went quiet after hearing my words.
In the end, I want to tell you, ‘Accept yourself whatever the way you are. Release yourself from all the ifs and buts. Life starts from there. It’s worth living only if you have the courage to trespass all the odds, barriers put in your way.
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