Devika Mali, Para Athlete & Co-Founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation

Devika Malik is the Co-Founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation, an organization that helps people with disabilities participate in sports, gives them access to sporting goods, and assists them in overcoming other obstacles like emotional, social, and financial difficulties. To help its recipients, it has also partnered with a number of organizations, including the Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, Smile Train, and actor Shah Rukh Khan’s Meer Foundation. The foundation, which believes in the transforming power of sport, has assisted over 50 people with disabilities in becoming athletes and given artificial limbs and other assistive technology to more than 550 recipients.

She overcame the obstacles posed by her disability to become a professional para-athlete, winning 8 national and 3 international medals at World Para Athletics Grand Prix competitions. She is also a psychological counselor, an international advocate for disability inclusion, a speaker at TEDx, and a co-founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation. The organization advocates for better access and equality for those dealing with physical, mental, and social issues. It also supports disability sports, generates money for people with disabilities, and encourages inclusion.

Devika’s work on behalf of disability inclusion and gender equality has received national and international recognition. Theseinclude receiving the Queen’s Young Leaders Award from Queen Elizabeth II in London, meeting the Indian Prime Minister, speaking at the Commonwealth Opening Ceremony, and most recently receiving the United Nations India Women Transforming India Award 2018 and being named to the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 list. The 28-year-old has represented India in numerous international fora and has been a major voice for young people with disabilities at the Commonwealth and the United Nations.