Yesterday (24-Oct-09), I attended the IIM Alumni monthly meeting. Everytime, the alumni association invite successful people from various spheres of life and they will share their thoughts.
Yesterday, it was little different. They invited Malathi Holla, an international athlete. What so special about it? It is special. She was affected by the deadly polio at the age of one and struggled her way throughout her life. She was trained and educated in a rehabilitation center in Chennai and moved to Bangalore for her PU. She is from Mangalore belonging to a lower middle class and had about 30 odd surgeries todate.
Sheer determination, courage, spirit made her to shine in the sports (both National and International) world and also in her career as a Bank Officer. She is currently Bank Manager with Syndicate Bank, Bangalore. She has won over 300 medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze) at State, National, International levels at the Paralympics , Asian, World Masters, Open Champinships.
She was conferred the prestigious Arjuna, Padma Shri & Ekalavya Awards. Apart from these, she was awarded the KK Birla Award, Women of the year (1999) by American Biographical Institute, USA, International Women of the year 1999 by International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England. In all she has won close to 30 awards.
She was conferred the prestigious Arjuna, Padma Shri & Ekalavya Awards. Apart from these, she was awarded the KK Birla Award, Women of the year (1999) by American Biographical Institute, USA, International Women of the year 1999 by International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England. In all she has won close to 30 awards.
What came out of the speech by Malathi is that do not look at your weakness, which is there with everyone in one form or the other. Start living your life the way you want. Motivate yourself. You can change the world if you have courage.
She is running an NGO called Mathru Foundations, a Charitable trust for people with disability. For more info on Mathru Foundation, CLICK HERE
What I have written about Malathi is little, for more reading, you can visit http://www.adifferentspirit.com/home-page.html. "A different spirit", an authorised biography of Malathi K Holla - published by The Inspired Indian Foundation and authored by M.Anantha Krishnan. The part proceeds of the book sale goes to Mathru Foundation and those who were present bought those books for the Unlimited Inspirations of Malathi and for a noble cause.
Thanks to the IIMB Alumni for organising such a wonderful session, which had an attendance of about 100 (including the family members of the Alumni members).
Let us take things in the positive way and always look for our way, instead of depending on others and waiting for others to help us.
Cheers,
Gopal
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