Latest news with #Manmeet
Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
At this Chandigarh rehab centre, paraplegics regain purpose, pride and even earn paycheques
Written by Nivedita and Amanpreet Thakur At Chandigarh Spinal Rehab, a quiet transformation is unfolding. Here, individuals once bedridden after spinal or brain injuries are learning to bounce back and even earn their livelihoods—working as delivery executives, accountants, kitchen supervisors, and peer trainers. They are performing in bands, playing for the country, winning medals, and inspiring others to live with purpose and pride. Founded in 2016 by Nicky P Kaur, who had no medical training but a deep calling to serve, the centre was born out of a life-changing encounter. While running a bakery in Amritsar, Kaur met Manmeet, a quadriplegic man living independently. 'Moved by Manmeet, I vowed to empower people with devastating disabilities such as spinal cord and brain injuries,' she says. Among the many who have rebuilt their lives here is Ajay Raj from Jharkhand. Paralysed below the neck after an accident in 2006, Ajay arrived at the centre in 2017 for a mouth-painting workshop. His only wish was to support his family and not depend on them. With a chin-operated wheelchair, mouth-pen phone access, and therapy ranging from hydro to occupational, Ajay began to flourish. He now manages social media and the kitchen at the centre and has represented India in international tournaments for boccia, a precision ball sport. After bagging a bronze at the 2024 World Boccia Challenger in Bahrain, he returned from the World Cup in China just last week. 'There was a time when I prayed to God to take me. Now I say—no, I have more to do. My aim is the Olympics,' he says. Many like Ajay have found new strength—and adventure—here. Residents go on curated outings and participate in awareness events, including an unforgettable 2018 paramotoring initiative titled Wheelchairs with Wings. The centre also provides advanced wheelchair training, helping individuals reintegrate into society with confidence. From a delivery girl to a wheelchair band member, the success stories here are nothing short of remarkable. Take Flowing Karma, India's first band on wheels, launched in 2019. Featuring Trideep Chaudhary, Rajiv Kumar, Sandeep Singh, Ajay Raj, Rahul Singh, and Ashish Verma, the band has performed at public events including the Punjab Governor's residence on Republic Day. Another shining example is Vidya Kumari from Bihar. After an accident in 2007, she spent 11 years at home before joining Chandigarh Spinal Rehab. There, she discovered para-sports and has since won over a dozen medals in table tennis—including international wins in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. She also became India's first wheelchair-using Swiggy delivery girl. 'When we leave this world, we shouldn't feel like we didn't try,' she says. There's Lal Singh, paralysed in May 2023 and abandoned by his father, now working as an accountant at the centre. And Kaushalaya Devi from Himachal, left paralysed after a seizure in 2005 and abandoned by her husband, who today participates in archery competitions, fashion shows, and paragliding. 'I call this my new birth,' she says. 'Acceptance, the first step' From Tamil Nadu, Kumaresan Anandhan—now an international para-athlete in javelin and shot put—recalls his despair after a 40-foot fall in 2009. Rehab changed that. 'Acceptance is the first step to recovery,' he says. 'Life does not end after injury. There is still so much to do.' At the centre of all this is Nicky Kaur, whose vision continues to guide Chandigarh Spinal Rehab. But the demand is growing, and she points to the urgent need for more space, funds, and beds. While spinal injury centres are slowly increasing in India, there is still a dearth of dedicated rehabilitation facilities for brain trauma, she says. The centre today provides holistic, affordable rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, cerebral palsy, and more—including care for the elderly and children with special needs. With therapies ranging from physiotherapy and pain management to pressure ulcer care, it stands as a beacon of hope. 'About 80 per cent of those we rehabilitate go on to lead productive, independent lives,' says Kaur. 'When God wants something done, He gives us the strength to do it. And when I see smiles on these faces, I know I have succeeded.' (Nivedita and Amanpreet Thakur are interns with The Indian Express)
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Motorcycle stolen from police lines
A Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle was stolen from the police lines — a place considered among the safest due to round-the-clock police presence. The stolen vehicle belonged to the son of a senior constable currently posted in the Vigilance Bureau. The theft was reported by Manmeet Singh, a resident of quarter number 104-B in the police lines. Manmeet, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, said he had parked his bike and locked it securely on June 5. A few hours later, when he came out to use the vehicle, it had vanished without a trace. Despite extensive search of the area, the motorcycle could not be located. 'The bike was locked, and it was parked inside what is supposed to be a highly secured zone. I couldn't believe someone had the audacity to steal from here,' said Manmeet. Following his complaint, the division number 8 police have registered a case against an unknown person and launched an investigation. Sub-inspector Lakhwinder Masih, who is investigating the spot, stated that the CCTV footage from cameras installed within the police lines is being reviewed to identify the culprit.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
S$6k fine for man who falsely claimed Singapore minister made offensive remarks against Malays
Manmeet Singh Bahadar Singh pleaded guilty to knowingly committing an act that promoted disharmony between different racial groups. - ST SINGAPORE: A blogger was fined S$6,000 after he posted a TikTok video falsely claiming that Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo had made offensive remarks against Malays. Manmeet Singh Bahadar Singh, 57, pleaded guilty on June 6 to knowingly committing an act that promoted disharmony between different racial groups. Manmeet had uploaded a video on TikTok on Aug 12, 2024, after receiving a link to a WordPress blog post via WhatsApp from an unknown person. The blog post claimed that Teo made an offensive remark against Malays when asked about racial progress during an interview with the Chinese media about Singapore's development since 1965. Manmeet repeated the blog post's allegations in his video and told his viewers to 'go look it up'. Manmeet added: 'I have been voicing out for, you know, against racial discrimination in Singapore. And look what happened now? My prediction's right!' At the end of the video, he also uttered the phrase 'bring them down'. His TikTok account had over 9,000 followers when he uploaded the video, which was online long enough for Teo's colleagues and a reporter to ask the minister about it. About four hours after the video was uploaded, Teo informed her press secretary, who downloaded a copy of the video and made a police report. Suspecting that his claims were false, Manmeet removed the TikTok video later that day. He subsequently posted another video apologising to Teo, admitting that his claims were false. Teo took to various social media platforms to clarify that the allegations were false. Manmeet was arrested on Feb 4 and released on bail the next day. For promoting racial disharmony, an offender can be jailed for up to three years, fined, or both. In a statement to The Straits Times, Teo said: 'Growing up in the 1970s, I have seen for myself how precious – and fragile – racial and religious harmony is in our diverse society. It is why I do not take for granted the many friendships with schoolmates, colleagues and community leaders of different faiths or races.' She added that the accusation made by Manmeet against her was serious and cast a shadow on these friendships. 'Besides feeling personally hurt, I was concerned about the hurt to my friends if things were not put right,' she said, adding that this was why her press secretary had made a police report. 'With the sentencing passed, I hope to put this episode behind me. Our world threatens to fall apart because of all kinds of hatred and conflicts. I hope this episode reminds us all to be careful not to sow discord but instead to spread peace,' said Teo. - The Straits Times/ANN
