Forty-year-old Deepa Malik uses only her arms to handle the bike, as she is paralysed below the chest region. She has 183 stitch marks between her shoulder blades after three spinal surgeries.

This International Women’s Day (March 8) she will be the sign of courage and determination. On that day, she will be honoured by the organisers of an event to select the nation’s ‘most passionate biker’ by letting her ride a 400cc sports bike during a demonstration in New Delhi. She will not only encourage young participants, but also judge various rounds.

“I am so excited,” says Malik, an Ahmednagar resident who often visits Pune to promote adventure sports. Her love for adventure sports has earned her several records, including a place in this year’s Limca Book of Records. Under the umbrella of the Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of India, she rode a bike for 55.25 km from Trimbakeshwar to Nashik. Going against the tide is her second nature. Her first Limca Book feat was when she swam 1 km of the Yamuna river — against the current.

Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore are the eight cities where the biking event organised by Castrol Power1 and xBhp.com is being held. In Pune, Piroz Kadri was selected as one of the finalists on February 15 while Malcolm Ilavia was selected as a finalist from Mumbai on February 22.

Baljeet Singh Kochar was finalised for the national event from Ahmedabad on February 28 and the mega event will be held on March 8 in New Delhi. The winner will receive a  new Yamaha R1 from actor John Abraham. 

Malik has been overcoming challenges ever since she was eight. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, she won various national and international swimming championships. She says, “I have set out on a journey and refuse to feel defeated due to my handicap.”