Date:09/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2009/07/09/stories/2009070950740400.htm

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Sporting spirit

Bagging over 300 medals, the Arjuna and Padma Shri Awards is not easy. And Paralympic champion Malathi K. Holla has done just that, confined to a wheel chair. The inspiring life of this sportswoman is captured in her authorised biography “A Different Spirit”, written by Anantha Krishnan M, corporate communication head of HAL.

A raging fever when she was a year old paralyzed Malathi’s entire body. Electric shock treatment helped her regain strength in her upper body, but below the waist her body remained completely weak. But nothing has stopped Malathi, who has represented India in the Paralympics, the Asian Games, World Masters, the Commonwealth Games and Open Championships in different parts of the world.

Anantha Krishnan met Malathi when on assignment during his journalism heydays and the friendship that evolved finally took shape in this book over years.

Malathi currently works as a manager with Syndicate Bank and shelters 16 children with various disabilities at Mathru Foundation — a charitable trust helping polio victims from rural areas.The book will be released today by cricketer Syed Kirmani at The Capitol Hotel at 3 p.m. The book is published by Inspired Indian, a writer’s movement to promote good writing and celebrate unsung heroes, founded by the author. Part of the proceeds from the book sales will go to Mathru Foundation. The book will only be available through the website www.adifferentspirit.com.