It’s okay to be directionless in life at times: Manasi
Richa Chadha feels the medium is a bubble and she was at peace when taking a break from it
Wasseypur series and the latest, Section 375.
“If you are getting a role through Instagram, I don’t want them. What can you show... that you have a good following? Those are not the roles I am after. But at the same time, I am not judging people who get roles like that!”
So, how has she been able to adjust to this new aspect of showbiz where one has to be visible in public and interact with fans on social media frequently? Richa says, “That’s a bubble, you don’t have to be active on social media. I was off it for a month, and it didn’t make a difference to my life, apart from the fact that I was very peaceful. It was around the time of elections, and log paagal ho rahe the!”
Her gold in the BWF ParaBadminton World Championship made many sit up and take notice. Yet, Manasi Nayana Joshi sounds humble as ever. She always wanted to prove that nothing is impossible and nothing can put down her indomitable spirit — not even losing a leg to an accident. After bringing the medal home and inspiring many to let go of their mental and physical blocks, the first thing she feels is gratitude for the love she and her counterparts received at the championships.
“I never expected so much. Everything is overwhelming. Thanks to social media, we could reach out to so many people. There were so many tweets and posts and by the end of it, I feel now a lot more people know me than ever before,” says the happy athlete.
Her journey has not been easy, but definitely fulfilling. She never let her accident affect her and ensures she practices six to seven hours a day to better her game. However, a concern she raised recently was GST exemption for prosthetic equipments. “When I lost my leg in an accident and had to buy a prosthetic leg, I realised how much it costs. That rang a bell. How can people who can’t afford it, survive? I’ve to keep my weight in check to fit into my prosthetic leg... I feel it’s important that GST is waived from such equipment... Why should we be taxed for walking?” adds Manasi, who is now looking forward to the upcoming 2020 para-Oylmpics.
Another concern she has is about insensitivity towards specially-abled individuals. “People need to be sensitised towards the specially-abled. This education should be incorporated in textbooks,” adds the 30-year-old.
For those who wonder where she gets her power from, Manasi credits family and friends. “The support system that helped me run ahead is important. Sometimes it’s okay to be directionless. Success
Shreya Mukherjee
stories do not differentiate, they ask for effort and commitment. The perception associated with people with disability will change only when we make that happen. Never let your hope and efforts die... It’s that inner power that would sail you through,” she says, adding some advice for upcoming athletes, “Never ever lose your fighting spirit.”
At a time when biopics are being churned out every day, has there been any interest around her life? “There are stalwarts like Arunima Sinha, Deepa Malik… films on their lives are in the making. I have a long, long way to go,” she adds.