Sometimes, an unfortunate incident can change an individual’s life forever, leaving them a new set of seemingly insurmountable challenges. For Malvika Iyer, a bomb-blast at the age of 13 took away her hands, and left her scarred for life. However, today, she’s a symbol of hope of inspiration for thousands across the world.
It isn’t easy to recollect a negative experience. But Malvika truly shows how one can turn it around to make the incident and the memory part of a larger purpose in life.
Malvika Iyer isn’t an ordinary individual. She is someone who refused to accept defeat despite a life-changing incident.
At the young age of 13, Malvika survived a bomb blast. She lost her hands, was bedridden, and couldn’t walk for two years due to her injuries. She had to undergo multiple surgeries, and make peace with scars that would remain for a lifetime.
Today, she is an international motivational speaker, a P.Hd holder in social work, a TEDx speaker, bi-lateral amputee, disability rights activist, model for accessible fashion, and a global emerging leader. Recipient of several noted awards, this young woman is truly inspirational.
Malvika frequently talks about the incident, on where she stands today as an icon, and her mother, Hema Krishnan, who she calls the strongest pillar in her life. Malvika’s story is about her mom, who was responsible for raising both her daughters to accept and face any challenge in life.
On May 26, 2002, Malvika, out of curiosity, found a hand-grenade in her neighbourhood, near her home in Bikaner, Rajasthan. It was soon after an ammunition depot had caught fire, and a lot of shells were scattered in the area. Malvika wanted a hard surface to stick something on her jeans and, assuming it was defused, decided to use the grenade as a hammer to mend her jeans. Taking the grenade, she went to her room, and used it on her jeans to flatten the pocket.
Malvika remembers the aftermath distinctly, “When I was hospitalized just after the accident, I wanted to climb stairs, hold the pen, and do simple things like that. If I have to recollect the day, I mostly remember a lot of blood splashed around, my flesh being burnt, and blacking out for a few seconds. I remember my mom and dad’s voices, and my dad and his friends rushing me to the hospital. All of them were looking at my hands, and obviously it was too shocking for everyone to react rationally.”
Malvika can’t walk a lot even now. There were a lot of injuries, and a series of grafting and surgeries. Initially, it would bother her that her legs hurt, but after a few months, she decided that it was time to accept this situation. “Pain had to be part of my life, and I had to figure out what I would do next. So now, I keep reminding myself that it’s fine, and I can take rest when I go back to bed at night,” says Malvika.
Her hands were cut off, and there was no need to amputate them at all. Malvika has been using prosthetic hands for a long time now. She suffered from an inferiority complex because of her injuries. People have sometimes reacted sensitively, and too many times insensitively, on seeing Malvika without her hands. Doctors considered amputating her leg too, but eventually didn’t, and Malvika has come to terms with it.
Malvika never thought she would become an icon, doing ramp shows in the USA, receiving numerous awards in the country and on the global front, or being a motivational speaker too. She gives a lot of credit to her mom who she says has kept her grounded. Among her happiest memories is getting the opportunity to meet Dr. Abdul Kalam, who invited her to Rashtrapati Bhavan after hearing her story, and that she had topped the state for her board exams.
It is important to remind young kids that they can confide in their parent about any problems they face. It is so important to walk that journey with them, where they can trust and share everything without the fear of judgement.
Malvika winds up saying, “I have seen many people who complain about their life, saying, ‘Why did this have to happen to me?’ I think it builds a negative wall around you, and that needs to change into positive thinking. I stayed patient, and determined too. Today, I’m volunteering with the United Nations, and undertaking so many initiatives. I am indeed happy with my journey. Touching so many lives along the way has been a privilege and an honour.”