Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Best friends Athira & Shampa believes supporting each other is secret to their camaraderie

Best friends Athira & Shampa believes supporting each other is secret to their camaraderie

athira bhaskar and friend shampa majumdar
Get-hooked July 30, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

In our monthly feature #FriendshipGoals, our final story is about 24-year-old Athira Bhaskar, a wheelchair user, and her friend Shampa Majumdar. Athira and Shampa lives in Kolkata and has been close friends for the past four years. They share a very deep based on loyalty and understanding..

Athira Bhaskar, 24 years old, was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 15. She has beaten many odds in life, and now works as a central government employee in Kolkata. Athira, who is married, says that best friend Shampa Majumdar’s presence in her life has been one of the biggest blessings till date. Their thick bond of friendship is based on trust, loyalty and of course standing by each other.

College days

Just like every other youngster, Athira was geared up to complete her education and fly when she was diagnosed with a disability. She left Kolkata, where she grew up, to pursue higher studies in medicine to Kerala in her hometown. But that did not work out well owing to her physical limitations. Athira returned back to Kolkata with a heavy heart. She was disheartened and had lost all hopes.

She spent a year inside the four walls of her home before deciding to join for B.Sc Economics at Vivekananda College in Kolkata in the year 2016. One of the best decisions that she made, joining the college was truly a game-changer in many ways. At college is where she met Shampa, her best friend and someone who had a great positive impact in her life.

“When I came back to Kolkata, I never used to talk to any of my friends. I was depressed and did not want to keep in touch with anyone either. That is when I joined for B.Sc Economics. I was a year late so most of my classmates were younger to me. I met Shampa there. We bonded instantly”, says Athira.

Since Shampa was staying close to her, Athira enquired to her if they could go to college and return back together. Due to mobility issues, she couldn’t manage on her own and her parents were also working. Shampa agreed readily and that is how they started spending a lot of time together, inside and outside college too. Since Athira couldn’t attend tuition classes, Shampa used to learn everything and share her notes with Athira.

“She used to pick and drop me while we were in college. We studied, hung out and had a lot of fun together. Meeting Shampa and being with her was one reason I could tackle with my depression and blues during that time”, says Athira.

Best friends for life

A few years back, Shampa had to shift her home, but she convinced her parents and managed to get a place close by to Athira’s home. “She did not want me to go alone to college. Shampa knew the hardships that I would face”, recollects Athira who recently had to move to another district owing to a government job. Needless to say, Shampa missed her friend but they keep in touch every single day!

Over the past four years, their bond has only grown thicker and their fondness for each other has increased over time.

“From the very first day in college, we got along really well. We have many things in common, maybe that is how we bonded so strongly. Together, we made memories and has always shared things”, says Shampa.

Together for a lifetime

Athira and Shampa knows that they are bonded for life. Ask Athira what she likes the most about Shampa and she says, “Shampa is innocent and very helpful. She has always stood by me when I needed her”.

Shampa, who has a handful of friends believes that some friends make a deep impact. Athira is one amongst them. “Athira has always been supportive. She is brilliant in academics too and that is something I admire a lot about her. Our friendship has only grown stronger over the years”, says Shampa. Together, Athira and Shampa has even done a trip and that brought them closer.

On 30 July, for friendship day, the duo doesn’t have any plans. Rising number of Covid cases in their area is a cause for concern. So Athira and Shampa has decided to stay indoors. “We plan to video call, we do that almost every day. But we are definitely planning for a meet up soon”, they say together.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • Friends for over 5 years, Maitreya Shah & Tejas Shah say theirs is a bond for life
0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)
  • Employment
    InReturn Strategies is redefining the way American companies talk about diversity & inclusion
  • Get-hooked,Lifestyle
    Perceptions and misconceptions about disability
  • Technology
    Top 5 accessible video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities globally
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    McDonald’s India unveils new EATQUAL packaging specially designed for customers with limited upper hand mobility
  • Education
    Evaluate Me by My Body of Work, Not my Body

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Woman getting her eyes tested

Get-hooked

#GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss

Logos of Zoom, Teams, Slack, Webex and Meet with the words Top 5 accessible video conferencing platforms

Technology

Top 5 accessible video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities globally

Get-hooked

Perceptions and misconceptions about disability

Education

Evaluate Me by My Body of Work, Not my Body

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding Fine Motor Skills

Accessibility

A mothers contribution towards the cause of Down syndrome

Get-hooked

Understanding Stress of Moving House for Child with Autism

Get-hooked

Aasmaan Foundation’s new inclusive music video ‘Olangal’ is now creating waves on social media

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.