Recently, I had come across an excerpt about Naga Naresh, an IIT pass out from the computer science stream.  On reading the excerpt I was inspired with the indomitable spirit displayed by this young boy and wanted to share his inspiring story.  While reading this you might wonder; what is so special about this IIT pass out. Yes, Naga Naresh is special in every way, because he has no legs and moves around in a powered wheel chair and his parents are illiterate. Demonstrating an optimistic attitude and an enthusiastic spirit this boy has overcome struggles in a graceful way.

Naresh was born in Teeparu a small village on the banks of Godavari in Andhra Pradesh.  His father was a lorry driver and mother a housewife, inspite of being illiterates themselves they had instilled the importance of education in the minds of their children.  Recalling how is father used to ask him questions from his text book just to make him feel happy that he had helped him in his studies, Naresh says at that time had not realized that his father could not read or write.   Being a mischievous kid with a go lucky attitude he used to spend time with his friends playing around in the fields.

On a fateful day, in order to attend a family function Naresh and his family had taken a lift from a lorry which belonged to his dad’s friend, since the lorry was crowded with people the driver had made naresh to sit beside him and being a playful kid he had fiddled with the door latch, since the door was not locked properly and the lorry was in full speed, In a sudden move the door of the lorry had opened throwing him out, and as he fell out his legs got wounded with the iron bars that were protruding out of the lorry.  The private hospital close by refused to treat him, and he was rushed to a government hospital where he had to undergo a surgery as his small intestine was twisted and the doctors had bandaged his wounds in the legs. 

But a week later the doctors while opening the bandage found a gangrene had set in and it had reached up to the knees since they did not have the facilities to treat him there,  he was again moved to the district hospital where the doctors had scolded his parents for being so careless, since his parents were ignorant they were totally helpless.  Shortly Naresh underwent a surgery in which the doctors had amputated both his legs up to the hips.  On waking up Naresh says “I remember asking my parents - where are my legs”? and I could see them crying helplessly.

In a difficult circumstance like this any other person would have lost hope and would have become depressed, but Naresh is no ordinary boy, and being a person with good spirit and enthusiasm he turned the toughest moments of his life  into opportunities of course with the help of his family and friends. Instead of wallowing in self pity Naresh took this incident as a blessing.  Because after the accident, Naresh’s family decided to move to a nearby town so that he could continue his education.  Joining a missionary school, Naresh received free education until 10th standard and his sister inspite of being  2 years older than him was put up in the same class along with him so that she could take care of him.  

Believing in God and destiny he says that he had such a wonderful parents, loving sister and lots of friends who used to take good care of him and treat him like a normal boy.  He considers his Maths teacher and a senior as a role model since they had encouraged him to participate in various local talent tests and it was through his senior he got the inspiration to prepare for IIT -JEE. 

In his words he says that “I have always considered myself as a normal boy and life has been a great blessing for me, because I can always see the invisible hands of gods in whatever I do.  I have always received help from total strangers, my parents have been very kind to me, the people with whom I move have always been receptive to me, at school my friends had always liked me and when it came to studies and other activities they took me as a competition”. 

While speaking about life at IIT, he says that he had evolved a lot as a person;

“Words are inadequate to express my gratitude to Prof Pandurangan and all my lab mates; all were simply great. I was sent to Boston along with four others for our internship by Prof Pandurangan. It was a great experience. “

He recalls the consideration that was shown to him by his professors and fellow students providing assistance in all ways and at times going out of the way to extend a helping hand.

I would like to quote his words here - as it is heart warming

“After my first year, when I went home, two things happened here at the Institute without my knowledge. I got a letter from my department that they had arranged a lift and ramps at the department for me. It also said that if I came a bit early and checked whether it met with my requirements, it would be good. 

Second surprise was, the Dean, Prof Idichandy and the Students General Secretary, Prasad had located a place that sold powered wheel chairs. The cost was Rs 55,000. What they did was, they did not buy the wheel chair; they gave me the money so that the wheel chair belonged to me and not the institute. 

My life changed after that. I felt free and independent.

That’s why I say I am lucky. God has planned things for me and takes care of me at every step”

The will power demonstrated by Naga Naresh is remarkable and the humility with which he recalls and owes his gratefulness to his family members, friends, professors, well wishers and acquaintances shows the fineness and humaneness in him. The attitude of Naga Naresh is infectious and instills confidence and hope to anyone who reads his story. Above all it inspires and motivates us to cross the boundaries we have set for ourselves and while doing the same let us also remember to count our blessings and recall with gratitude the contributions of people in our life, without whose support we could not have made our lives any better.