New Delhi: Born in a small village in Andhra Pradesh, Deepthi Jeevanji faced many challenges right from the start. When she was born, some people in her village of Kalleda, Warangal district, said she was different. Her head was smaller than usual, and her lips and nose didn’t look like other children’s. Villagers would often tease her, calling her hurtful names like “Mental Monkey.” This made her childhood very difficult.
Deepthi’s mother, Dhanalakshmi, remembers how sad her daughter used to be. “When the other kids teased her, she would come home crying. She was just a little girl, and it hurt us to see her like that. But we did our best to support her,” she said.
Life wasn’t easy for the Jeevanji family. After the death of Deepthi’s grandfather, they had to sell their farm. Her father, Yadagiri, would earn a small amount each day, sometimes only Rs 100 or Rs 150. To make ends meet, her mother also had to work. Despite these hardships, they always tried to make Deepthi feel special. “I would cook her favorite sweet rice or chicken to cheer her up,” Dhanalakshmi shared.
Even with these challenges, Deepthi found a way to shine. She didn’t let the teasing or her family’s struggles stop her. Instead, she worked hard and found her passion in running. This dedication paid off when she made history at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
At the Paralympics, Deepthi represented India in the women’s 400m T20 event, a race for athletes with intellectual disabilities. She ran with determination and finished the race in 55.82 seconds, earning a bronze medal for India. This was India’s 16th medal at the Paris Paralympics.
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This isn’t the first time Deepthi has made her country proud. Before this, she won a gold medal at the World Athletics Para Championships in Kobe, Japan. Her success on the international stage shows her incredible spirit and the strength of her willpower.
Deepthi’s father, Yadagiri, was filled with pride after his daughter’s achievement. “This is a big day for our family,” he said. Even though he couldn’t take time off work, he spent the whole day thinking about Deepthi’s victory. “I kept telling my friends to call others and celebrate Deepthi’s medal. She has always brought happiness to our family, and this medal means a lot to us,” he added.
Deepthi’s journey from being teased in her village to standing on the podium at the Paralympics is a true inspiration. Her story reminds us that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
