About Pradeep Raj
At the age of two Pradeep Raj got afflicted with polio. His both lower legs were affected. He started his formal education when he was admitted to a Special School ‘Amar Jyoti’. He used a wheelchair to move around when he was small but after sometimes he started using orthosis.
He due to his strong desire to be treated a normal child, made him strive hard to get admitted in a inclusive system of education and he was happy to be together with other students who were non disabled. He could not complete his college education due to financial problems. He began his career as a sports teacher in very same school ‘Amar Jyoti’ where he used to study when he was young. In 2007 he got a job a BPO company by the name of Genpact.
He became a disabled activist and started fighting for their rights. He has been an awardee of “Bajaj Allianz IBN7 Super Idols Award”, “Achievers Award” by Sun Foundation. He has helped many physically challenged people to get employment and has assisted them in setting up of STD/PCO booths.
It is amazing to know that he has been a Paralympics player and has won many medals and awards.He joined HWF.He has set up Association of Disable People and his has also won many medals for our nation.He has been playing table tennis. He participated in IWAS world games 2009 in Table Tennis at Bangalore.He has won the Silver Medal in National Paralyimpic Table Tennis Championship (2009), and Bronze Medal (2008).on the Gold Medal (2008), Silver Medal (2007), Gold Medal (2006), Gold Medal (2005), Silver Medal (2004) and Gold Medal (2003) in Table Tennis in HWF National Sports Meet at Delhi. He has won the Gold Medal in Chess at HWF National Sports Meet at Delhi (2005).Apart from this he has been taking part in sport events like Volley-Ball, Swimming, Athletics, Badminton and Power lifting
Pradeep Raj, a great personality, a spirited sportsman and above all a human being par excellence has been able to Cross the Hurdles coming his way.
1. Favorite movie(s)
Lagaan
2. Favorite books
I used to read comics but now nothing much.I read books related to disabled and newspaper is a must.
3. Favorite color
Blue
3. Craziest thing that you have ever done in your life
I got married. My wife is from Maharashtra.
4. Most Valuable thing that you have?
Love
5. If you are marooned on an island what 5 things you would like to keep with you?
My wife
6. Favorite food
Rajma rice, Shahi paneer and tandoor chapati
7. Your biggest strength
My confidence
8. If you take birth again, who would you like to be born as?
Rahul Gandhi
9. The thing(s) that you hate
I hate lies and the people who do corrupt practices in name of working for physically challenged.
10. The first thig you do right after awaking up in the morning
I drink one glass of water
11. The last thing you before falling asleep in the night
I work on computer looking after the progress of my association since I don’t get time during the day.
12. You prefer sons or daughters?
Daughters
13. Oft-repeated word/sentence by you
Nothing as such
14. If world is going to be destroyed in next 5 minutes. What would you do during this time?
I would be with my family and remember God
15. What was your resolution on the new year?
to end corruption going on the sports field
16. The best gift that somebody can offer to you?
A smart mobile phone
17. Your bedroom take fire what would you rescue at first?
In my room my wife and I stay.I will save my wife
18. The town/country that you want to visit?
Pakistan
19. If you can meet one person of your choice, dead or alive, known or not, who would this be?
President of America
20. If you could change one thing your past, what would it be?
People’s perceptions about disabled
1 How do you manage your day to day work.You do it yourself or you take somebody’s help? Do you find yourself self sufficient?
Ans. I do everything myself without anybody’s help. I feel myself to be completely independent.
2.In which profession are you engaged presently?
Ans. I am working for UN on contract basis at present. But I want to work for the welfare of physically challenged and that I do it after my working hours.
3.We know that you are married..do you find any difficulties in coping up with marital and household responsibilities?If yes, then how do you manage them?
Ans.My wife is also physically challenged. She has more problems than me.But we don’t find any difficulties because we live in a joint family
4.You have told us that you are very much interested in sports and have taken part in many national and international events and have won us many medals.How have you managed everything?What of difficulties have you face during all this time?How did you feel when you were taking part for the nation and won the medals?
Ans. I have played on international level but my international medal is still to come.I have won many matches.I felt very proud while taking part and winning for the country. I have won many national medals too.The organization which works for sports of physically challenged in India is PCI. But is feel it is very corrupt and indulges in malpractices.It is the only reason that many disabled players have not been able to on international level.I raised my voice against them and have brought the matter in open.I have filed RTI petitions.They have a strong backing and have even threatened me.Mr Javed Abidi has always supported.We staged a protest in front of the residence of our sports minister too.
5.How do you spend your leisure time?
Ans I don’t get enough free time but when I get I spend it with my family.
6.Do you feel emotional outbursts due to your physical conditions or do you feel yourself to be mentally weak at times.If yes then how do you manage it?
Ans. No I never get upset due to my physical condition neither I feel mentally weak.
7.How do you feel when someone pities you..what do you tell the other person?
Ans. I fee angry at that time and tell the other person that I can manage things myself.
8.Do you feel discriminated at times?
Ans. Yes I have faced discrimination.
9.How do you commute to your office?
Ans. By my Honda Activa.Sometimes by bus and sometimes by Metro.
10.What message would you like to give to the people?
Ans.Don’t see our disabilities.See our abilities.We can do it.We only need opportunities.
ref:crossthehurdles