With an encouraging, caring, and supportive family, friends, and teachers, Anupa Pilgaonkar grew up in a healthy atmosphere, both in school and college, where everyone seemed to be an amazing human being. When she started to play table tennis, she was the only female TT player in Goa who was disabled with locomotive impairment.
“In 2023, I played for Khelo India in Para TT at New Delhi,” shares Anupa, who began playing table tennis in 2019 after meeting Vishant Nagvenkar, a person with a disability at the DRAG (Disability Rights Association of Goa) office, who invited her to play TT. Reluctant initially, she obliged. And after practicing for a while, she gained enough confidence to play at tournaments. She played for the national level tournament at Indore for MP Championship in 2022 and won a bronze medal. She also won a silver medal at the Para TT National and in the Purple Fest in 2023.
“My locomotor disability did not stop me from exploring any adventurous activity, especially as I had the strong backing of my father and other family members. They boosted my spirit and stood with me in thick and thin. It is because of their amazing presence in my life that I am able to live an independent life, both financially and physically. I climb up to three to four floors and even climbed forts in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and other places. And yes, I drive my own car to travel to my workplace and live independently too,” smiles a confident Anupa, who works at the Tourism Department at Patto Panaji. When she joined her job in 2010, she was a lower divisional clerk (LDC). She was promoted to UDC, and with her sheer hard work, dedication, and commitment, she is now promoted to the head clerk position.
Instead of traveling to Bicholim where her family lives on a daily basis, Anupa prefers living at her apartment in Porvorim and enjoys cooking her own food.
“My father insisted that I learn to drive myself, and he himself taught me to drive. We used to learn early in the morning. A year later, my car was modified in 2016, and this modification was approved by the RTO. I learned on this modified version after taking a learning license. Later, I passed the driving test and got my permanent driving license too. After that, there has been no looking back,” she shares.
A commerce graduate, Anupa has been disabled since birth. “My parents faced lots of challenges to make me independent. But I would say that both my parents are far-sighted people, and because of them, I could do what I am doing today,” says Anupa, who is a government employee and hence is not eligible for any government schemes. Offering the credit for making her confident enough to face the challenges of life, the brave heart says, “I have a very supportive family. Especially, my father who has always motivated me.”
Anupa opines, “I always feel that a person with a disability needs one boost initially from their home and family, and then from society. I have very limited but lovely friends. I was blessed with supportive teachers in my school and college days.”
Anupa has done a basic screen acting and smartphone filmmaking course organised by the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, which was conducted at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) by FTII faculty Jijoy PR in November and was the lone female participant. It allowed the participants to discover a new side of their personality. Her creative side focuses on poetry and painting. Nurturing hobbies like reading, watching movies, music, driving, and hanging out with friends, Anupa has been traveling to different parts of India for TT tournaments as well as holidays.
Anupa’s schedule is quite busy - office hours are from 9.30 am to 5.45 pm. She thoroughly enjoys her work. Completing her schooling till SSC from a school in Pernem, she joined Shantadurga Higher Secondary for XI and XII and graduated from Zantye College at Bicholim. Unlike many others who hate maths, Accounts was Anupa’s favorite subject, and she chose FAAT (Financing Accounting Auditing and Taxation) for her graduation.
“My parents used to lift me to school, and later I used crutches to walk. Now I can drive my parents and friends in the car. How being self-dependent changes the track of life and makes things easy. Being disabled, I want to live and enjoy my life with my abilities and confidence,” concludes Anupa, who likes to ride on the waves and be triumphant.
