In less than ten days, this young lass who exudes immense self-belief will be representing India on an international platform. Her boundaries know no limits as Rajalakshmi, a dentist from Bengaluru will be gracing the stage at Miss Wheelchair World 2017 in Poland. The international beauty pageant is taking place for the first time this year. It will see the pretty Rajalakshmi, one of the two women selected, represent India globally. In India, the pageant has been running since 2013, and that is also where her journey began — at the Miss Wheelchair India 2014 pageant where she was crowned a winner.

In 2015, Rajalakshmi took on the mantle of organising the pageant in a small way, which of course, turned out to be quite the gala. A road accident, at the age of 21, led to a major spinal cord injury. Many unsuccessful surgeries later, she was rendered wheelchair-bound for life. But, Rajalakshmi doesn’t think her physical disability has been an obstacle in chasing her dreams or carving her own identity. Being in a wheelchair did not deter the young woman from her dreams of completing her Bachelors in dental surgery. In addition, she also completed various courses in Psychology, Fashion Designing and Vedic Yoga. She also wheeled the ramp for Orion Fashion Week in 2015.

Her dedication earned her a gold medal in Masters of Dental Surgery. But alas, despite bagging gold, she wasn’t given a job! Today, she is not only teaching as an Assistant Professor in a dental college but also owns a dental clinic, SJ Dental Square. She also the chairperson of the SJ Foundation, which works for the cause of persons with disability. After winning Miss Wheelchair India 2014, she organised the pageant the following year in Bengaluru through her foundation.

Her work has been appreciated, awarded and felicitated at various forums. She has really earned titles like A Bold Woman in India, A Positive Hero & A Woman of Substance. Adept at interior designing, singing, dancing, painting and swimming, Rajlakshmi has spanned over 11 different countries on her wheelchair.

She admits that the exchange of thoughts, ideas and opinions will be exciting. “I am representing India which is a huge honour. This pageant sends out the notion of recognising different types of beauty and brings about a different awareness. It’s a whole new life and a whole new concept of life. I keep exploring. I want to keep discovering life in different ways,” she ends.