Pune: To a stranger Malata might come across as just any other handicapped girl, who’s recluse and doesn’t talk much. But there is more to her personality. Malata Usar, 17, is waging a battle against handicapped life and many ways she has emerged victorious.

Both his family and teachers at The Society for the Welfare of the Physically Handicapped (SWPH) are all praises for the way Malata has handled her problem and her constant drive to emerge out of it.

“We are based in Kalona village in Buldana when Malata was born, it wasn’t long before she met with a bullockcart accident and lost her right hand. We took her to various doctors, and later decided to severe her hand. It was definitely hard to accept and life has gone on an altogether different tangent since then,” Malata’s maternal uncle Dhandu Singh Surshi says.

“As a family, we always tried to be with her as much as we could and tried bringing her up in as normal circumstances. Malata was a resplendent child, and spent her energy in learning things,” Surshi says.

The family decided not to let Malata’s problem overcome her development and focussed on her education. “We admitted her in Pune’s SWPH because the children in Kalona village didn’t cooperate with Malata. They would not let her play wth them and this left her frustrated and she would often sob. But here at SWPH, people are very supportive and tis has played an important role in her improvement,” says Surshi.

Malata has not only excelled beyond expectation in her academics but also other activities. She has a great inclination for handicrafts, computers and tailoring. Her eye lit up when Surshi narrated her accomplishments.

“I wasn’t knowing ABCD upto seventh standard. But was awarded The Best Student Award in 2007 after topping the list in Girme Vidyalaya. Former chief minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh gave me the award. It was a great feeling,” she adds quickly.

When asked about her future, Malata promptly says she would take up a tailoring or a typing job. “If lucky I like working in government departments,” she says.

Malata’s teachers at SWPH are proud of her. “A few years ago, no one would have imagined Malata would be in a position to lead an independent life,” SWPH vice-chairman M N Kachare says.