Golden girl Mallika Handa to get national award today
Avneet Kaur
Jalandhar, December 2
Jalandhar’s golden girl in chess Mallika Handa (24) is all set to be honoured by the National Disability Award, which will be given by the President to all specially-abled people who had made the world move with their grit and determination in their respective fields. To be honoured on December 3 on International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Delhi, she is among the three persons from the state who have been chosen for the honour.
The award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of 2019 will be awarded to Mallika under the best sportsperson with disability category. She is the first Indian girl to win gold in the International Deaf and Dumb Chess Championship. Besides, she is a four-time gold medalist of the National Chess Championship for the Deaf and has also won a silver medal in the International Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD) worldwide World Deaf Blitz Chess Championship.
Talking to The Tribune, an elated Renu Handa, mother of Mallika, first thanked the Central Government for selecting Mallika as one of the awardees. She said her happiness would double if the state government offers a job to her after winning this award.
She said despite lack of funding and acknowledgement from the state government, her daughter has kept her spirit high and faced every challenge.
“With 90 per cent hearing disability, my daughter has won many national and international championships in chess. It is really disappointing that the state government is paying no attention towards differently abled,” she said.
When asked how it all started and when Mallika developed interest in chess, Renu said it was in 2010 when her father brought a chessboard home and she started playing with his cousin brother and slowly got interested in chess.
“When she began beating her father with ease, we took notice. That’s how her career as a professional chess player began,” said the proud mother.
“Malika is extremely positive, and determined to make the most of her life. She doesn’t allow her disability to define her,” said Mallika’s mother, adding that though she had faced many roadblocks, she had risen to the occasion and is dedicated towards her goals.
She has opted to join a college with others in her age group, and though she finds it hard, she says that she would pass exams with distinction, she said.
Meanwhile, Amarjit Singh Anand, expert member, Punjab, Divyangjan State Advisory Board, and State Disability Activist expressing his joy said since 2016 to till now nine persons from the state has received the National Disability Award. He said the Punjab Disability Sector in the past one decade has gain much activism, awareness and advocacy. Thus, it’s high time that the state government pay more attention towards needs of the differently abled.
1st Indian girl to win gold in int’l chess c’ship
The award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of 2019 will be awarded to Mallika Handa under the best sportsperson with disability category. She is the first Indian girl to win gold in the International Deaf and Dumb Chess Championship. Besides, she is a four-time gold medalist of the National Chess Championship for the Deaf and has also won a silver medal in the International Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD) worldwide World Deaf Blitz Chess Championship.
