In this new series, ‘True Story’, under Insights, I will be bringing out human stories that will help us pause and reflect, stories that are certain to give us insights.
Today’s story is very special. You will know why.
My dear friend, Mahesh Chandrasekar, is a man of indomitable spirit. His true story is certain to inspire you and put your own life challenges in perspective.
When I was 14 years old, I lost my mother. When I was 19 years old, complications arising out of a viral fever left me paralyzed. I saw a deep sense of despair on my dad’s face. That was the moment when I promised myself that I would not allow this setback to define our lives.
When I returned home after nearly three months in hospital, I was totally unprepared for a life of dependency and isolation. Despite patchy recovery of my motor functions, I was dependent on my father for even the very basic functions such as turning on the bed, toileting, bathing, dressing etc.. I had to learn to grip a pen and write again. My house in the first floor across a flight of steps became a virtual prison.
Being stuck at home for three years, I was clueless. However, thanks to the founder of an NGO, I began working. This was the first major breakthrough out of the deadlock that I was in. With passage of time, the seriousness of managing life with a disability was not serious anymore but a way of life.
My second breakthrough came after a year when I got a job with another NGO focused on integrated rural development. The place of work was at their field campus in a village, at the heart of one of the most arid, drought-prone areas in India. Many of the villagers were asking me questions as someone in their family had a disability and they were struggling to find answers. My interactions with them made me realize that I could be much better and useful by listening to people and discovering solutions with them.
I knew I had discovered a new purpose in life. It was finding solutions with people with significant disadvantages where none seems to be apparent.
In 10 years, I was the Field Director of a large community development programme covering two districts in North Karnataka. One thing led to another and I was back in Bangalore to lead a large community based rehabilitation programme for persons with disabilities covering 17 slums in Bangalore. I also completed my formal education by this time.
Meanwhile, I was elected president of Karnataka state level federation of persons with disabilities. As the Advocacy Coordinator of a national programme, I traveled extensively across 11 states in India. My role was to enhance capacities of disabled people’s organisation in deep rural pockets to lobby for their rights and inclusion in society as equals.
The next big moment came when I got the opportunity to manage a global campaigns project for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by young people with disabilities across 17 countries in Asia and Africa. I was based in London for a little over 2 years. During this period, I was also elected as the co-chair of the disability and development task group of BOND, a NGO collective in UK and co-chair of the UN Task Group of International Disability and Development Consortium.
After the many years in the development sector, I am mindful of the need to understand the effects of exclusion and marginalization experienced by different vulnerable groups. This quest opened an opportunity to head the Research and Advocacy function for an organisation that is focused on developing life skills in young people from vulnerable backgrounds to overcome adversity.
In my current role now with a leading philanthropy, I am part of the team managing grants for organisations working with vulnerable groups across India. They include adolescent girls, homeless, street children, survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, small and marginal farmers.
I look back with gratitude to my dad, brother, family, friends, the organisations that I have been part of and the community who have enabled me make this journey.
I look forward to the fascinating future where I see myself building on my experiences to influence development programmes in making tangible and sustainable changes in the lives of the most marginalized.
I live in Bangalore. My wife has played a vital role in helping me rediscover my ambition. She continues to play the role of an equal partner and constantly challenges me to scale new heights. My 19-year old son is a wonderful friend and has given our lives a new meaning. We believe he will be a good human being who is sensitive to the people around him.
We often think it is the end but Life comes up with new beginnings.
