“Work hard, success never dies”- My Take by swimming champion Vishwas KS
30 year old Vishwas KS who hails from Bengaluru is a national level swimming champion, dancer and martial arts expert. He lost both his hands and became an amputee after he was electrocuted at the age of ten. A disability has not broken the spirits of this young man who dreams big and hopes to bring more laurels to India.
I was born in Kolar in Karnataka and is currently living alone in Bengaluru. I’am a swimmer, martial arts expert and dancer. I lost both my hands after I was electrocuted when I was hardly ten years old. I have won 17 medals for India in swimming, appeared in at least six dance reality shows at a guest and has a red belt in martial arts. My friend, who is also an assistant director, is planning to make a movie based on my life and I will be cast in it. I’am gearing up for that.
As a kid, I stayed with my parents and siblings. Everything went well for us until that fateful day. My father was building a house for us in Kolar itself. While helping my father, I got electrocuted. My father, who tried to save me, was killed. I was in the hospital bed in coma for over two months. When I woke up, I realised that I had lost both my hands. I knew nothing would be the same for me. I had to spent another two months in bed rest-Vishwas KS.
Newer beginnings
Our family kept aside the past and decided to seek for newer beginnings. We moved to Bengaluru. I completed my graduation in commerce. My mother passed away a few years back after which I realised I’am alone. I went into depression for many months. It took me a long time to get back to normal life. Basically, I did not know what to do next.
I completed my education after many struggles because many people told me that a person with disability will get government privileges. Hence, it is going to be easy to find a job. But that is not the case. I have been knocking many doors and no one has been offering me a job in private or government sector. They think that I cannot handle a job because I’am an amputee.
That is how I ventured into swimming, dance and martial arts. It has been nearly a year since I quit everything else to focus completely on these. Currently, I’am busy doing all these activities which gives me immense pleasure. I regularly practice all these and is also gearing up to act in my first movie. I want to give my best to whatever I’am doing.
“After waking up from bed after coma, I saw my hands and was disheartened. But I realised that my father gave up his life for me. Which means, I have many things to achieve. This new life of mine is a gift from my father and I do not want to compromise on it”.
The many achievements
I have represented India in swimming at many international venues. In a total, I have won 17 medals for my country.
I have performed at over sixteen different dance venues across Karnataka alone. I want to perform in other parts of the world too. I also got a red belt in martial arts.
Even today, I struggle to make ends meet because I’am not earning anything. It is my friends who have been supporting me financially. So if I’am unable to manage the money, I have to cancel my programme.
In my 30 years, I have received many awards and recognitions. I received the National Role Model Award 2015 on 3 December from the Vice President of India. In 2015, I was recognised with a Karnataka state award for my activities. In 2017, I received the Kempegowda award.
“People think that because we have a disability we cannot achieve anything. Most people with disabilities have talents but do not have any opportunities to showcase them. We should work on what we are best at doing and show the world that nothing is impossible. Do what your heart says and focus on it. Success never dies”.
You can contact Vishwas KS at +91 99725-30303.
Also Read: “My blade are my wings to fly”- My Take by Sajesh Krishnan, Kerala’s first blade runner
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