Sagar Shirudkar
- March 24, 2025
Disability type: Paraplegic
Date of Birth: 05/03/1971
Contact details: +91 63973 61752
Address: A-22 New K block Shastri Nagar, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh 250 004.
Life Before Disability
My name is Mukta Sharma, and I currently reside in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. I am currently serving as the State Coordinator for U.P. at Helplife. My father previously served as a personal assistant to Nehruji, and my mother was a homemaker who faced epilepsy. I am the third of four sisters and one brother. Due to the absence of an elder male figure in our family, my father often had to take leave, eventually leading to the loss of his job and vacating the government quarters. After unsuccessful attempts to find support from relatives, we found ourselves living on the streets. Subsequently, my father took us to Tri Nagar, where we settled in a jhuggi on government land. However, the government bulldozed our home, forcing us back onto the streets. Eventually, my father sought refuge in Ghaziabad, where he resumed his professional career as a Jyotishi, providing us with a stable living situation once again. Despite numerous challenges, my father managed to arrange marriages for my two elder sisters and then mine. After my marriage, although I aspired to continue my education, I prioritised family due to my mother-in-law’s illness, putting my dreams on hold. However, when I later expressed my desire to study, my husband did not support me. I returned to my parent’s home and completed my schooling privately, achieving second-division marks. While pursuing my 12th-grade education, I gave birth to my son.
Shortly after, I left him in my mother’s care to undergo training as a nurse. Following my training, I
secured a job at Lokpriya Hospital in Meerut, where my husband occasionally visited to meet our son. However, he insisted that I return home, and with family pressure, I did so.
Life Before Joining Helplife
Over the next few years, my husband and I moved to Meerut, where we faced marital issues. Eventually, the situation escalated to a point where my husband physically attacked me, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down. After a brief stay at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, I returned to Meerut, where my family supported my recovery. However, three months later, I was ousted from my family home by my brother.
Despite the immense challenges, I persevered. I learned tailoring, obtained a diploma, and started working as a tailor to support my two children. My son, despite facing hardships, stood by me, and together, we faced the struggles life threw at us.
Life After Joining Helplife
In June 2021, I joined Helplife, and my life took a transformative turn. I am currently serving as the State Coordinator for U.P. at Helplife. With the support of Helplife, I received a laptop and underwent training. My dream of opening a tailoring centre for differently-abled and underprivileged girls became a reality, thanks to Helplife, which facilitated the registration of my company, “Kanika Fashion”. I found strength and inspiration in the teachings of Helplife.
“I express heartfelt gratitude to Neelam Madam for providing me with the opportunity to progress. I promise to work with utmost honesty and dedication as long as I am associated with Helplife”.
