Translated version of the interview taken by

Mr.Mohanlal Vaghela which was published on

6th August’1998 in “Sandesh” newspaper.
(Refer Page – 2 of Booklet)

The Great Warrior – Suresh Lalan

About your legs !

At the age of ten months, when it was time to crawl,

nature had deprived me of my legs. I was born in a small
village Bharadwa in Banaskantha district, where no
primary medical facilities were available. Then also my
parents went to different places for medical help but it
was futile.

Then ?

My grandfather used to get sheep’s milk and

massage it on my legs. My mother used to stay up all
night and make me exercise. They all did whatever was
possible for them but did not succeed.

As a result –

As time passed, I used to drag myself on my hips

and move around. Then I was put in school, my parents
and family members used to carry me to school. Since I
was bright in studies I won my teachers love. I passed
with distinction throughout.

Anything new in school ?

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 By the age of twelve, I excelled in painting I painted
the walls of 3 of my classrooms. Today also if you sit in
front of me, I can capture you on my canvas.

Have you dreamt of anything ?

I had only one dream of becoming a doctor. But

because of my inability all schools refused to give me
admission in the 11th (Science). I was very disappointed.
I did not attend school for 3 months. During this period
Shri Vividhlakshi Vidya Mandir School (Palanpur) gave
me admission and this gave a start to my new career. I
proved myself by achieving 80% and 97% in practical
examination in the 12th grade. I stood 1st in Palanpur by
getting highest marks.

In between

I stayed at Palanpur Jain Hostel, where the library

was on the ground floor, laboratory on the first floor and
the class room on the second floor. I used to drag myself
in order to reach either of them. I used to wash my linen
by myself. Move around the hostel campus on my
tricycle. Then to I stood against time and achieved
success.

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Did you achieve success ?

Due to my marks, I was able to get admission easily

in medicine but because of my disability everyone made
me an object of laughter. They used to tease me by
saying “you are more than 60% handicap”. This was a
turning point in my life and I switched over to B.Com. I
had to decide about my career. After a lot of thinking I
decided to join the Diamond Industry.

How about your legs today ?

After a lot of struggling there was a light of

happiness in my life. The person who used to drag and
walk could suddenly stand and walk step by step.

How did it happen ?

Before 4 years my legs were operated by Dr. Adi

Narayan Rao at Vishakhapatnam in R.C.D. Hospital. Dr.
Rao has dedicated his entire life for the handicap people.
He is worshipped like God by polio patients. With his
treatment and my will power, I can walk with calipers
and elbow crutch in one hand. Still he wants to perform
one more operation which in his opinion would make me

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run. Though I was given birth by my biological parents, I
feel I was reborn at R.C.D. Hospital under Dr. Rao.

Different shades of my life

My dreams were fulfilled when I met my future wife.

She had all the characteristics which I had visualized.
She made my life colourful.

Besides struggling was there anything that

captured your heart ?

Yes, Poetry, which was an inborn talent and came

right from within. My sorrow, my pleasure and all my
feelings were reflected in my poetry.

Were you ever frustrated being a handicap ?

I took all my disabilities as a challenge and I am

happy with it. “Sorrow” is a state of mind. Sometimes
people who have everything are not happy while a
person like me has accepted the disabilities and can live
life gracefully.

Being a handicap is a curse ?

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 It’s not a curse being a handicap. History is a
witness to it that a physically disabled can also achieve
success in different fields of life.

Precious moment of your life

The most precious moment was when I could stand

and walk by myself and when Sonali came in my life.

With Sonali’s help and blessing of my family and

friends we tried to live life like any other normal happy
couple. My mother and Sonali have been the backbone
of my success.

Due to physical disability a person becomes

dependent on others. When God shuts one window he
opens another door, that is his greatness.

When you are disappointed

Whenever I feel disappointed, these people

Dhritrastra, Ashtavakra, Hommer, Hellen Keller, Ravindra
Jain, Sudha Chandran come as an inspiration for me.

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How have diamonds contributed to Surat ?

Surat has gained a lot of name and fame because of

the Diamond industry. Having faith in each other is the
main foundation of this industry a lot of illiterate people
due to their capabilities and talent have prospered in
this business.

In order to withstand International Competition this

industry should adopt modern technology. All the
workers who have shown their expertise in this field
should be honoured.

My gratitude

I owe my gratitude to the following people my

mother – Smt. Gomtiben, father – Shri Shantilal, sisters –
Kokila, Manjula and Chetna and loving brothers Kirit and
Samkit. And not to be forgotten Dr. Adi Narayan Rao who
gave my life a new perspective.

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In the end –

Two things I would like to share with the world:

1. When I was studying in the XII standard I used to

write a lot of poetry and get involved in them
whenever students came to me to draw for them. I
used to put forth a condition that I will draw for you
only if you hear my poem.
2. When I was refused admission in medicine and
engineering due to my disability. I went to meet a
high court advocate in Ahmedabad. There I was told
to wait outside by the watchman. After sometime
the advocate’s daughter came with a 10 rupee
note. This incident really angered me and I thought
in my mind that I was not a beggar. This is not the
way a physically disabled person should be treated.

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