In an inspiring turn of events, today, on October 25th, Lalitha Killaka, a visually challenged athlete from a remote tribal area in India, emerged victorious at the Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China. She secured the silver medal in the fiercely competitive 1500-meter running event, bringing honor to her nation and earning a standing ovation from the world.
Lalitha's incredible achievement is a testament to her sheer grit, determination, and hard work, and her journey to this historic moment is nothing short of remarkable.
SRC: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1971146
In Lalitha's own words - "Before the race, I was confident that I would win the medal for my Nethra Vidyalaya and my country. This thought, along with memories of the encouragement throughout my journey from Nethra Vidyalaya, was on my mind while running the race. I owe the accomplishment to Swamiji's Daya (the compassion of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji) and the support from you."
From right to left ( Right - Lalitha's coach Mr. Rahul Balakrishna, Middle - Lalitha, Left Lalitha's guide runner Mr. Tabres Khan)
Hailing from a tribal area where poverty was a constant companion, Lalitha and her family faced hardships that most can only imagine. They could not afford to have a meal of rice every day and relied on a single daily meal. Her parents K Borja and Chitamma farmers who have 4 children from Gummalakshmipuram Vizianagaram are daily wage workers in the fields, working tirelessly to make ends meet. Adding to their woes, their daughter Lalitha was born visually challenged.
Lalitha commenced her educational journey at Netra Vidyalaya, Varija, in the fourth grade in 2013 and continued her studies there until her tenth-grade graduation in 2020. Currently, she is in her second year of studies at Netra Vidyalaya pursuing a degree.
When she started her journey with school she was a very innocent girl who was not at all willing to stay back at school but now she has become a very strong aspirant lady with teaching and training of all her teachers.
Amidst these challenging circumstances, Nethra Vidyalaya, the School and college for the Visually Challenged, founded by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, played a pivotal role in Lalitha's life. This institution not only provided her with education but also offered boarding, meals, and the training required to hone her athletic skills from a young age. With the support of Nethra Vidyalaya, Lalitha was given a chance to dream, and she seized this opportunity with unshakable resolve.
Lalitha exhibited an extraordinary blend of determination, passion, and talent. She excelled not only in her academics but also on the athletics field. Running became her passion, and she poured her heart and soul into it. Years of relentless training bore fruit as she began securing victories at the district, state, and national levels. With each win, her dreams grew bigger and brighter.
Nethra Vidyalaya and VT Seva founder Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji expressed happiness and announced a prize money of 300,000 for Ms. Killaka Lalitha and 50,000 Indian rupees for her guide runner Mr. Tabres Khan.
He said, 'A person is not disabled solely because of being physically handicapped. A person is considered disabled only if they lack mental resilience and the ability to overcome challenges. This fact was demonstrated by our Nethra Vidyalaya students in cricket a few months ago in England and is now exemplified by Lalitha in her running performance at the Asian Para Games held in China. We strongly believe that these accomplishments will inspire many youngsters to achieve greatness in their lives. Credit for these achievements goes to the supporters and donors from all over the world who are the fuel behind the fire for the excellence of Nethra Vidyalaya students.'
The peak of her journey came when she earned the opportunity to represent India at the Asian Para Games. Lalitha's story transcended borders as she participated in the trials in Morocco, competing against some of the world's best para-athletes. Her unwavering dedication and training paid off as she secured her spot on the Indian team.
Today, in Hangzhou, China, Lalitha's journey reached its zenith as she crossed the finish line in the 1500-meter running event, clinching the silver medal. Her victory was not only a personal triumph but also a victory for all those who supported her along the way.
India, with its largest-ever contingent of 303 athletes, stands united in celebrating Lalitha's remarkable achievement. This victory is not only for India, with its 1.4 billion population but for the entire world. Her story is a shining example of what can be accomplished with determination, perseverance, and an unbreakable spirit. Lalitha Killaka, the girl who once struggled to have a meal each day, has now become an inspiration to all, proving that it is possible to rise above adversity and reach for the stars.
Lalitha inspired many students and they started participating in various district, state level sports competitions. Lalitha and others were trained in New Delhi IBSA in 2017. Lalitha gets trained in various places and participates at different levels in all prestigious events.
Para Sports Association Andhrapradesh selected Lalitha for training and has provided training for the past 2 years in Banglore.
VT Seva has been a proud supporter of Nethra Vidyalaya since 2009. We thank each and every volunteer and donor of VT Seva for your support in making this possible. Your support is our strength to serve!