India’s New Viral Sensation, Differently-Abled Punekar Is a True Inspiration. Here’s Why

Struggling to motivate yourself at work today? Are you in need of inspiration this morning? Then look no further than 24-year-old differently-abled marathon runner Javed Choudhari, who, after running a shade over 21 km in the recent Pune Marathon, decided to celebrate that achievement by breaking into a dance filled with passion and joy.

This incident was probably the highlight of the Pune Marathon conducted by the Regional Outreach Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in partnership with the Pune Road Runners and other associated groups.

Juxtaposing the circumstances under which he lost a leg, and that dance earlier this week, and it’s hard not to capture that stark contrast. Three years ago, Javed was involved in an accident when his bike crashed into a truck near his village of Lonar in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra. Doctors were compelled to amputate one leg, leaving the then 21-year-old first year BCA student devastated. Succour came in the form of music. Speaking to Pune Mirror, he says, “I turned to music, learnt the guitar and slowly things started to assemble together.”

From music, he miraculously returned to his other passion in life, which is dance. “I used to dance and choreograph before the accident. After that, I didn’t give up and started to teach young students to dance. I have taught over 2,500 people so far,” Javed told the publication.

Beyond music and dance, he took to swimming, adventure sports and basketball, in which he was recently awarded the ‘Man of the Tournament’ in an inter-state wheelchair tournament held for paraplegic athletes last month.

Through the course of his recovery, he also became the first person in his family to graduate from college. Today, he is preparing for the civil services examination.

Also Read: These 4 Inspirational Letters From Teachers to Students Will Ease Exam Pains

Where does Javed get all his inspiration from?

Humility, he says, which emerges from an attitude that since he has nothing to lose, there is no fear of failure, and this allows him to constantly learn and try new things in life.

Still struggling to find inspiration in life? Not anymore, I suppose.

Watch the video of Javed dancing below:

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.