This complete guide explains Dr. Deepa Malik’s interview, the Paralympic context and the chapter’s message of ‘ability beyond disability’. It includes textbook reflection, modal verbs, interview practice, notice writing and appendix listening.
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Video lessons
Watch the NCERT Hindi Tutor lessons here, then use the written notes and answers below for revision.
Understand the lesson
Summary
The chapter introduces the Paralympic Games as a global celebration of athletes with locomotor, sensory or intellectual disabilities. India first participated in 1968 and won its first medal in 1972. The main text presents an interview with Dr. Deepa Malik, a pioneering Indian para-athlete.
At twenty-nine, Dr. Malik was diagnosed with a spinal tumour. Surgery left her paralysed below the waist. She could either remain in remorse or rebuild life as ‘a world of limitless possibilities’. She chose action, sport and adventure rather than surrender.
Through disciplined training, she became an international medallist and India’s first woman to win a Paralympic medal. Her honours and public work widened the meaning of success: personal achievement became a platform for inclusion, women’s empowerment and disability awareness.
Her phrase ‘ability beyond disability’ asks people to focus on capacity rather than stereotype. She treats setbacks as opportunities to discover strength and argues that young people, schools and colleges can build a more inclusive society.
At a glance
Quick revision points
- The Paralympics combine elite sport with a challenge to social stereotypes.
- India debuted at the Paralympics in 1968 and won its first medal in 1972.
- Dr. Deepa Malik became paralysed below the waist after surgery for a spinal tumour.
- She chose purposeful action instead of living in remorse.
- She became India’s first female Paralympic medallist.
- Her guiding idea is ‘ability beyond disability’.
- Advocacy in schools can replace pity and prejudice with access and respect.
- The chapter presents setbacks as opportunities for resilience and growth.
Learn the ideas
Chapter notes
Dr. Deepa Malik’s journey
- A severe medical crisis changed her mobility at the age of twenty-nine.
- She consciously rejected a life defined by regret.
- Training converted physical challenge into sporting achievement.
- Awards gave her a public voice for inclusion and women’s participation.
- Her example joins self-belief with sustained work and social responsibility.
Inclusion, not sympathy
Inclusion means equal dignity, access, opportunity and high expectations. It does not mean assuming that every person has the same needs or replacing achievement with pity.
The interview encourages readers to remove physical and attitudinal barriers and to recognise disabled people as students, professionals, athletes and leaders.
Interview as a form
- The interviewer introduces the public context and asks focused questions.
- Dr. Malik answers through personal experience, reflection and evidence.
- Follow-up questions move from biography to wider social meaning.
- Respectful tone and clear sequencing make the conversation informative.
Build vocabulary
Word meanings
Kaveri exercise answers
Textbook solutions
Answers follow the exercise order in the textbook. Personal-response tasks include clear sample responses that students can adapt.
Original study guide by NCERT Hindi Tutor · ncerthinditutor.com
Reflect and Respond and Check Your Understanding
Q1.What do you observe in the picture of Sheetal Devi?
She appears calm, concentrated and confident while aiming. The image foregrounds sporting skill and preparation and challenges viewers to see ability rather than limitation.
Q2.Does Sheetal Devi’s example inspire you? Explain.
Yes. It shows that difficult circumstances do not decide the size of a goal. Focused training, adaptive technique and self-belief can create excellence.
Q3.Suggest a caption for the picture.
Where courage aims, possibility opens.
Q4.What are the Paralympics?
They are international multi-sport competitions for athletes with eligible disabilities, organised at elite level and designed to celebrate performance, resilience and inclusion.
Q5.What choice did Dr. Malik face after her surgery?
She could spend life in regret about paralysis or transform the changed circumstances into new possibilities. She deliberately chose the second path.
Q6.What does ‘ability beyond disability’ mean?
A disability is one part of a person’s circumstances, not a complete measure of potential. Strengths, skill, support and opportunity must be recognised.
Critical Reflection
Q1.How do Dr. Malik’s achievements challenge social perceptions?
They disprove the stereotype that disability prevents high performance or leadership. Her medals, awards and advocacy demonstrate excellence, independence and public influence.
Q2.What could be the long-term impact of involving students in disability advocacy?
Young people can recognise barriers early, reject mocking and pity, design accessible institutions and support equal participation. These habits can later influence workplaces, policy and community life.
Q3.Why is the title ‘The World of Limitless Possibilities’ appropriate?
After a life-changing diagnosis, Dr. Malik refuses to define the future only by loss. Her sporting and social achievements show that determination, opportunity and adaptation can reveal paths that initially seem impossible.
Q4.How is ‘Every setback is an opportunity to prove your strength’ relevant beyond sport?
Academic, personal and professional setbacks can expose weaknesses, but they also provide feedback and test resilience. Responding constructively builds judgement and confidence in any field.
Q5.How does Dr. Malik’s global recognition contribute to gender equality in sport?
It makes the excellence of a woman para-athlete visible, challenges male-centred and able-bodied assumptions, and gives girls a credible model of sporting leadership.
Q6.How can ‘ability beyond disability’ guide future para-athletes?
It encourages athletes to identify trainable strengths, seek proper support and judge progress by skill rather than by other people’s expectations.
Q7.What have you learnt from the interview, and how can you apply it?
I have learnt to treat difficulties as problems to work through, avoid stereotypes and respect equal opportunity. I can apply this by setting disciplined goals, using setbacks as feedback and making group activities accessible.
Vocabulary and Modal Verbs
Q1.Use the chapter expressions in sentences.
- defy the odds — With steady practice, the team defied the odds and reached the final.
- a new lease of life — The accessible sports club gave him a new lease of life.
- in hindsight — In hindsight, I see that the early failure improved my preparation.
- breakthrough moment — Her first national selection was a breakthrough moment.
- turn obstacles into stepping stones — Reflection helps us turn obstacles into stepping stones.
Q2.Use could, couldn’t, should and would for different functions.
- Possibility — It could rain this evening.
- Polite request — Could you make the entrance accessible?
- Past inability — She couldn’t enter because the lift was closed.
- Advice — Organisers should consult participants about access.
- Probability — The train should arrive by six.
- Polite request — Would you please open the door?
- Past habit — We would practise every morning.
Speaking, Writing and Learning Beyond the Text
Q1.How does a formal interview differ from an informal one?
A formal interview uses a respectful introduction, planned open questions, professional language and a clear conclusion. An informal interview may use familiar greetings and a conversational tone, though it should still listen carefully and avoid intrusive questions.
Q2.Write a notice for an inter-school athletic meet.
ABC PUBLIC SCHOOL
NOTICE
10 April 2026
Inter-school Athletic Meet
Students interested in selection for athletic events may register in the Sports Room by 15 April. Contact the undersigned for event and trial details.
Rohan Sharma, Sports Captain
Q3.Outline a presentation on two Indian Paralympians.
- Introduce para-sport and explain why representation matters.
- Present Dr. Deepa Malik’s turning point, training, medal and message.
- Present Sheetal Devi as a para-archer known for focus and adaptive excellence.
- Explain how both challenge stereotypes and inspire participation.
- Conclude that access, coaching and determination expand possibility.
Listen and Respond
Answers follow the World Inclusion Day announcement in the Unit 5 appendix.
Q1.When and where will the World Inclusion Day assembly take place?
Thursday, 10 October, at 9:00 a.m. in the school auditorium.
Q2.What programmes are announced?
- A welcome speech by the Principal.
- A staging on inclusion by the Interact Club.
- A dance performance about diversity and acceptance.
- A panel discussion with inclusion advocates.
- A concluding student song promoting inclusive practice and collaboration.
Q3.What is the purpose of the assembly?
To celebrate inclusion and encourage diversity, acceptance and collaboration throughout the school community.
Self-check
MCQs with explanations
Choose your answer first, then open the explanation to check your understanding.
1At what age was Dr. Deepa Malik diagnosed with a spinal tumour?
- 19
- 29
- 39
- 49
The diagnosis and surgery became the major turning point described in the interview.
2What physical outcome followed surgery?
- Loss of hearing
- Paralysis below the waist
- Loss of sight
- A broken arm
She then rebuilt her life using a wheelchair and adaptive sport.
3Which phrase captures her guiding philosophy?
- Winning at all costs
- Ability beyond disability
- Silence is strength
- Avoid every risk
It redirects attention from limitation to capacity and action.
4What does resilience mean?
- Avoiding effort
- Recovering and continuing after difficulty
- Ignoring people
- Winning without practice
The interview repeatedly demonstrates recovery, adaptation and persistence.
5What social goal accompanies sporting success in the chapter?
- Exclusion
- Inclusion
- Secrecy
- Advertising
Dr. Malik uses visibility to advocate dignity and opportunity.
6Which modal commonly gives advice?
- Should
- Couldn’t
- Did
- Has
For example, schools should remove barriers and support participation.
7What makes an interview effective?
- Only yes/no questions
- Respectful, focused and sequenced questions
- Interrupting every answer
- Avoiding preparation
They allow the subject’s experience and ideas to develop clearly.
8What does the title suggest?
- Limits should be ignored without planning
- Determination and support can open new paths
- Only athletes face setbacks
- Disability defines identity
Possibility grows from self-belief, work, adaptation and social opportunity.
Go beyond the textbook
Extra questions and answers
Q1.Why must the chapter’s message include opportunity as well as determination?
Personal effort matters, but inaccessible facilities, prejudice and lack of coaching can block participation. Fair opportunity lets determination produce visible results.
Q2.How is a positive attitude different from denying difficulty?
A constructive attitude acknowledges pain and barriers, then chooses workable action. Denial pretends that support or adaptation is unnecessary.
Q3.What is the value of first-person testimony in the interview?
Dr. Malik’s account gives authority and emotional specificity. Readers hear how she interpreted events rather than receiving only a list of achievements.
Q4.How can schools practise inclusion during sports day?
They can provide accessible routes, adaptive events, flexible rules where appropriate, trained support, respectful language and equal recognition of performance.
Q5.Why is representation important for young people?
Visible achievers widen what students imagine for themselves and weaken stereotypes held by families, institutions and peers.