From Kargil war hero to India’s first blade runner, meet Major DP Singh

The vagaries of life can rock our world in many ways, more so for those with disabilities. But Major (retired) DP Singh doesn’t think so. An army veteran, he lost his leg in the Kargil war of 1999, and is now India’s first blade runner, who says disability should actually be understood as “this ability.”

He was 25 when he was hit by mortar fire and was injured in several places due to the shrapnel. He was initially declared dead at the field hospital, but was later revived, and his right leg was amputated as gangrene set in, according to a report by NDTV.

The Kargil war veteran, however, did not let the loss of his leg define him. He defied the amputation to run marathons, and says he accepted it as a challenge and did not give in to the negative thoughts. He was determined to give his life a new purpose and ensure that his "quality of life" was never compromised.

Singh, who has successfully completed about 18 marathons, has a three-point success mantra – accept the reality, learn to control your mind, and increase your capacity to achieve what you wish for.

"It took me 10 years to accept I had lost my leg.... My biggest challenge was 'thoughts' and not disability," he told PTI.

Not only did running as an amputee change Singh’s day-to-day life, it also helped him change people’s attitudes towards the disabled.

“It has helped me bring positivity to people who have lost a limb,” he says.

He credits the training imparted by the Indian Army to fuel his determination and has told many disabled soldiers and others to never give up and stay cheerful in every situation.

DP Singh’s extraordinary journey from being an Army officer to an amputee marathon runner has given him a recognition as a motivational speaker - and he has been a source of inspiration to many.

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