Undaunted by her disability, she carved a niche for herself

J.ammu, January 1: JK UT is proud to have India’s first female para rower, Kritika Khanna, from Jammu and Kashmir. Kritika’s goal at the Paralympics is to bring home a gold medal for her home country.
Kritika honors her country and J&K with a bronze medal at the Asian Para Rowing Championships in South Korea.
“We won the bronze medal at the 2019 Asian Para Rowing Championships in South Korea, qualifying us to represent India at the Paralympics,” Kritika told Rising Kashmir.
“It’s sad that the Covid-19 epidemic ruined the Paralympics and that the Paralympics weren’t held,” she said.
“Our team of four rowers (two men and two women) was the first para rowing team in India,” she said.
In a tragic accident in 2003, 38-year-old Kritika lost her right leg and required an above-knee amputation.
“In 2003, my friends and I were going to take the exam for class 12. We were on a scooty when it suddenly turned into a turtle near the Asia Hotel in Jammu. and crushed my right foot,” he told Rising Kashmir.
She said her friend who was driving escaped unharmed. about her fitness. She also shared videos of herself on her social media to inspire others, especially those with disabilities.
What sparked Kritika’s passion for rowing is also an interesting story that clearly proves that hard work never pays off.
“Colonel Ghulab Dutta from the Indian Rowing Federation contacted me in 2018 after finding a video of me uploaded on a social media platform,” she said.
Needless to say, the Indian Rowing Federation has been looking for a potential female para-rower for many years to become India’s first female rower.
“Kol Dutta encouraged me to become India’s first female para rower,” said Kritika.
“I agreed and started training in June 2019,” he added.
Kuritika and three other team members underwent 45 days of rigorous training in Pune, Maharashtra.
In October 2019, the Asian Para Rowing Championships were held in South Korea.
“While narrowly missing out on the silver, we won the bronze,” added Krittika, adding, “It was Diwali that day, so the medal was a great Diwali gift not only for me but also for J&K and India.” ‘ added. Klitschka said.
“Now I’m preparing for the Paralympics and I want to bring a gold medal for my country,” he said.
The Rowing Federation of India has now transferred Kritika Khanna’s name to the J&K government for state awards.
The prostheses Kritika uses are manufactured by a German-based company, cost between Rs 100,000 and 120,000 and need to be replaced every 5-6 years. In addition, the maintenance cost of this her for 5-6 years is also about 1 million rupees.
This prosthesis is fixed in Delhi. “This is very expensive and I often think of people with special disabilities who cannot afford it,” said Kritika with a very heavy heart.
Kritika currently works at the Channi Himmat branch of J&K Grameen Bank Jammu and is working hard to prepare for the Paralympics. Her father is a retired Chief Education Officer (CEO). She also hopes to encourage and inspire people with disabilities while asking them to follow their dreams and “never say the spirit of death.”