Sandeep Kumar, the paraplegic engineer who always dreams big

Sandeep Kumar’s story is the kind that inspires movies and books.

Kumar is paralyzed, but that has never stopped him from chasing his dreams. He works in the aviation industry, which is a high profile and demanding sector. Not only that, he also runs an NGO!

Kumar was seven years old when he fell ill and was hospitalized. A careless doctor injected him with a dose of penicillin that had expired. This changed Kumar’s life forever.

Kumar was in a coma for days. When he came out of it, his family thought he had recovered fully, and that the worst was over. However, they realized that he had become paralyzed. From then on, he had to start using a wheelchair.

Kumar went to do a degree in engineering from the Government College of Kanpur, and was hired by a top company. However, Kumar wanted more than just a regular a 9 to 5 job.

He decided to apply to Indigo Airlines. Within three months, he got an interview call and was hired to work at the Delhi airport.

Kumar’s role is to make sure that he helps disabled people check in smoothly for their flights. His work has been recognized and appreciated. Kumar won the Universal Design Award in 2015, given by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and Mphasis.

He is also committed to empowering disabled people in his personal capacity through his NGO, Ally Foundation.

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