CAN'T to CAN, it is a choice.

Suvarna Raj from Nagpur is an athlete and fighter in all aspects of life.

Raj was only two years old, when polio struck, leaving her as a wheelchair user forever. She did her schooling from nursery till class 10th in Nagpur in a hostel.

I stayed in a hostel for differently abled children, where I learned cultural and sports activities. I began powerlifting on my teacher's guidance.

In 2007, Suvarna completed her?B.Com, B.Ed, and M.Com?from Nagpur. She won national powerlifting competitions from 2002-2008 but had to quit in 2008 due to health?issues.

In?2008, she got married and started playing table tennis, inspired by her husband Pradeep, a renowned?player. In?2013, Raj won two medals at the Thailand Para Table Tennis?Open. In?2014, she represented India at the Asian Para Games in?Korea.

In?the 2015 National Para-athletic Championship in Panchkula, Haryana, Suvarna witnessed shocking mistreatment of para-athletes."No accessible washrooms for athletes, we had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. I tweeted PM Modi about 2 women para-athletes, including myself, being stranded on the road at midnight facing ill-treatments and insults, highlighting the absence of any PCI representative."

On media interference, Suvarna's problem was promptly heard and the para-athletes were accommodated in suitable hotels with adequate facilities. Following Raj's protest, every para-athlete receives proper respect and accommodations in all?events.

In?2015, Suvarna completed her Masters's in Social Work from IGNOU Delhi. She quit table tennis in 2017 and later prioritized shot put, discus throw, and javelin.

Suvarna has won many prestigious medals in national and international tournaments and also qualified for international competitions. Silver Medal in the Para Athletics Championship, Pune, and in the India International Open Para Athletics Championship, Bengaluru in 2023.

From railways to panchayat offices, sports events, and the Parliament, Suvarna consistently fought against mistreatment and wrongdoing of differently abled. She claims that despite millions of rules, people need to be adequately aware of the treatment of the specially-abled.

Suvarna has received various awards including the National Woman Excellence Award, in 2013; the National Role Model Award by the President of India; the National Youth Award, in 2014; Karamveer Puraskar by ICONGO, in 2015.

She is an Access Auditor at Accessibility India Campaign, conducting 500+ Audits nationwide to improve the environment for disabled individuals and promote the enforcement of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016)at the grassroots level. She actively participates in advocacy campaigns for disability rights and empowers women with disabilities.

She's part of the World Assembly of Women with Disabilities and a member of the Election Commission of India, focusing on accessible polling for Divyangjan.

Raj's message:

I'm thankful for my supportive family and mentors. Strong willpower, perseverance, and hard work transform one from CAN'T to CAN.