In the heart of Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, a young girl Rakshitha Raju discovered her passion for running on the dusty grounds of Ashakirana School for the Blind.
Born with a visual impairment and orphaned early in life, Rakshitha was raised by her grandmother, who herself struggled with speech and hearing disabilities. Despite these challenges, Rakshitha’s spirit remained resilient as she found comfort in the steady rhythm of her footsteps on the track.
Her journey from these humble beginnings to becoming the first Indian woman to compete in the Women’s 1500m T-11 Category at the 2024 Paris Paralympics is more than a personal victory — it marks a significant moment for Indian sports, symbolising a broader push towards inclusivity.
At Ashakirana School for the Blind, Rakshitha’s love for athletics was nurtured under the guidance of her physical education teacher. He assured that running could open doors to new places, telling her that if she excelled as a runner, she could travel across cities and states by train.
Travelling was her dream, and running became her train ticket! But now, the story has changed. Today, gold is her dream, and running is her passion.
The turning point in Rakshitha’s life came when she met Rahul Balakrishna, a coach and guide runner who recognised her potential. Rahul became more than just a coach; he became the foundation of her athletic career, even taking out a loan of Rs 2 lakh to cover training and travel expenses for competitions.
While this support illuminated her path, she was quick to realise that India was not an easy place for people with disabilities. “I was mocked by everyone, even my relatives. And, my only goal was to go away from all the negativity,” she reflected.
Talking about her achievements, Rakshitha has consistently proven her exceptional talent on the global stage. She won gold medals in both the 1500m and 800m events at the World Para Athletics Junior Championships in Switzerland.
Continuing her success, she struck gold again last year at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, dominating the Women’s 1500m T11 category with a personal best time of 5 minutes and 21.45 seconds.
Although she missed the opportunity to compete in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020, Rakshitha is more determined to make up for it with a strong performance this time around. “I am incredibly honoured and excited to represent India at the Paris Paralympics. This journey has been filled with challenges, but each step has brought me closer to my dream,” she said.
As Rakshitha will step onto the track in Paris on 1 September, 2024, she will carry with her the hopes of a nation and the aspirations of countless others who see their own struggles reflected in her journey.
She is not just running a race; she is chasing a future where even the most distant dreams are within reach.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
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