Shashi’s Unstoppable Spirit, From Hills to Heights

Shashi’s journey from a remote Himachal village to competitive para badminton reflects determination, independence and the power of family support.

Born with a disability affecting both legs, 32-year-old Shashi grew up in Karsog, Mandi district, in a farming family.

Her father worked as a farmer, while her mother managed the household. Life in the rural region came with limited medical facilities, difficult transport and fewer opportunities.

As a girl with a disability, she also faced social expectations that could have restricted her ambitions.

However, her parents chose encouragement over protection. They supported her education and allowed her to imagine a life beyond her hometown.

Shashi completed a B.Ed., an MA in Hindi and a PGDCA in Computer Applications. At the same time, she remained involved in everyday responsibilities at home.

Leaving Karsog later became a defining step. Moving to an unfamiliar city meant learning to travel, work and live independently.

It also meant adapting to new surroundings without the familiar support of her family. Nevertheless, Shashi embraced the challenge.

Around the age of 25, she discovered para sports. She initially played wheelchair basketball and represented Delhi at a national-level competition in Tamil Nadu. Soon, however, para badminton caught her attention.

At a National Championship in Uttarakhand, she met Ranjit Sir, who encouraged her to pursue badminton seriously.

His guidance helped her understand the discipline needed for high-level competition. As a result, Shashi decided to make para badminton her professional goal.

In February 2020, she moved to Tamil Nadu for specialised training. Soon after, the Covid-19 pandemic brought sporting activities to a halt.

Training stopped and competitions were cancelled. Shashi eventually returned to Himachal Pradesh in 2022.

Even then, she refused to put her ambitions aside. She completed her PGDCA, prepared for government examinations and explored employment options.

Financial independence remained important, especially because competitive para badminton involves substantial expenses.

In November 2023, Shashi moved to Gujarat and resumed structured training under Ranjit Sir. Today, she trains at the Sports Authority of India in Gandhinagar.

Alongside sport, she works as an Executive in Air Operations and Customer Services with IndiGo Airlines at Ahmedabad Airport.

Her journey shows how education, independence and perseverance can open new paths. For Shashi, disability has never defined the limits of her aspirations.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image published on October 05, 2018

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1548795