Champua: Changing the perception of people on persons with disabilities, a differently-abled youth of Goudasahi of Sadar Mahakuma Champua block in Keonjhar district, has become a successful yoga instructor.
Ramachandra Rajak (19), born deaf and dumb, is a painter by profession. Even after losing his father at 5, Rajak transformed his disabilities to ability by following his passion for yoga at a local yoga camp.
If it was not for the support of his mother, Rajak would not have reached the heights he has. After her husband’s demise, Rajak’s mother Indramani took the responsibilities of him and his two siblings. She did odd jobs to make both ends meet and also encouraged Rajak to follow his passion.
Despite hurdles, she left no stone unturned to educate Rajak. However, in bid to extend a helping hand to his mother and his passion to be part of the mainstream, Rajak first took up wall painting as his job.
It was during an interaction with local ex-Armyman Prakash Pradhan, Rajak learnt about yoga. Encouraged by Pradhan, he went to Patanjali yoga camp in Rishikesh and since then there has been no turning back.
After getting fully trained, Rajak returned to his native and started his journey as a yoga instructor at Champua and Telkoi.
“It was during a yoga session, I miraculously started speaking. Now, I can speak slowly and hear a bit. Yoga is slowly helping me overcome my disability,” Rajak said adding that it was all the blessings of Baba Ramdev.
Ramchandra wakes up at 4 am and walks for three kilometers. He then practices and instructs yoga at Nehru Stadium for three hours. In the evening, he spares two hours from his schedule to practice yoga regularly.
Rajak, who has since carved a niche for himself, has set an example that will inspire youths and differently-abled people like him.
