Reaching for the stars from a wheelchair

In North Karnataka, a 17-year-old boy dreams of space from a wheelchair. As a first step towards achieving his dream, Keshav Vishnu Sutar has managed to score 93.76% in the SSLC board (10th standard) examination.

It is obvious why he sees Stephen Hawking as an inspiration. Much like the renowned English physicist himself, Keshav’s body is paralysed below the waist. He is smaller in stature for his age. His spine is growing abnormally, so his back hurts if he sits upright for too long. During exams, he cannot sit for more than half an hour at once and needs consistent rest periods. While writing, his hands cannot keep up with the thoughts in his head, so he relies on a scribe.

This is the life of Keshav, who was afflicted by Cerebral Palsy as a three-month-old. Since then he has continued to live a life that is physically painful, but that hasn’t stopped him from dreaming and achieving big things.

“I was always interested in Maths and Physics,” said Keshav. “I sit in the wheelchair and study. Whenever my back hurts, I lie down and study language subjects.”

He lives next to his school, Sri Shanteshwar Higher Primary School in Kalaburagi city. In the morning, his mother drops him off at the school. As he cannot sit for an extended amount of time, he attends only till 1 pm. Earlier, his classroom was on the first floor and he had trouble reaching it.

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“I met Keshav last year and was astounded by his intelligence,” said Shantha Biradar, a Taluk-level government officer who was instrumental in ensuring the classroom was accessible to Keshav. She is the Block Research Co-ordinator for Kalaburagi (North) taluk and her job is to identify children with disabilities in her jurisdiction and their educational and financial needs. 

“The school administration was initially hesitant. But I told them to either put a ramp or shift the classroom to the ground floor,” she added.

Thanks to her efforts, the school relented and his classroom was shifted downstairs. 

It takes a village

”I have received support from everywhere,” said a grateful Gayatri, Keshav’s mother. “Shanta is just one of many.” 

She is a high school graduate (12th Pass), who is now the Vice President of a task force involved in the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 at The Association of People with Disabilities (APD).

But, her journey has not been easy.

Before moving to Kalaburagi city, the family lived in Hasargundgi, a village in Afzalpur taluk. Gayatri’s husband Vishnu Sutar still lives there, visiting the family every few days. He is a farmer and a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP), who travels around villages treating the sick. Out of their three children, except the middle child, a girl, the two boys got Cerebral Palsy as infants. They moved to the city so that they could get the children the education and healthcare they needed. 

Her younger son, Abhishek passed away 8 months ago. Just before Keshav’s board exams. 

“I knew, if I continue to be in pain, then Keshav’s life will be ruined,” said Gayatri who had to quickly get back on her feet for her son.

“I told him you should make us proud by studying so well that the whole state knows your name,” she said.

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The family has always prioritised the education of children. When they realised that physiotherapy was not working, they decided to put whatever remaining resources they had into the schooling of the children. They moved to the city after witnessing Keshav getting bullied.

It wasn’t easy to get a physically-disabled kid admitted into a school since he required more care than other students. 

“I told them I was ready to work as an aaya (school maid) and take care of him myself,” recalled Gayatri. In the end, Keshav got admission to Sri Shanteshwar Higher Primary School, where he remains to date. 

Now she wheels Keshav in and out of school in a wheelchair, donated by a local public official. There was, however,  a time when she used to carry him to school. 

Keshav has found a community in school, with supportive friends and teachers, who are happy to send notes through WhatsApp texts. 

Eyes Set to the Future

Inspired by his idols APJ Abdul Kalam and Stephen Hawking, Keshav Sutar is a firm believer in two adages: 1. Never stop learning 2. Disability is never a barrier to learning.

“My parents will have to care for me for the next 4-5 years. Then I will take care of them,” said a confident Keshav. He has already secured admission to a local college for PUC (+2 studies), as per Shantha’s suggestion. 

Since he needs to sit for more than 3-4 hours in college, Shantha says he will have to undergo surgery to correct the curve in the spine. 

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“The family’s financial situation is not good. If it was education alone, I could have done something,” said Shantha. She hopes that some hospital may do the surgery pro-bono. 

Gayathri too is looking for someone to donate a laptop for Keshav. He wants to learn to code, she says.

“My only wish is to see every disabled child and parent progress. Every child is talented. My kids have been my greatest inspiration,” concluded Gayatri.

The lead image at the top shows Keshav Sutar (Photo by Amulya B)

Amulya B is a multimedia journalist, writer and translator based in Bengaluru. Her stories explore the intersection of culture, society and technology. She is the winner of Toto Funds the Arts for creative writing and Laadli Award. She is a Rural Media Fellow 2022 at Youth Hub, Village Square.