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{{Short description|Wheelchair model and prominent disability rights activist from India}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rajalakshmi S.J
| image =
| education = MDS
| alma_mater = [[Government Dental College, Bangalore]]
| occupation = [[Activist]], [[Dentist]]
}}
''' Rajalakshmi S.J''' is an Indian disability rights activist. She is also a dentist, educator, and wheelchair pageant winner. Her NGO, SJ Foundation, of which she is chairperson, works for the cause of persons with disabilities. She is a [[TEDx]] speaker who regularly participates in [[wheelchair table tennis]] [[tournament]]s. As an avid car driver, she likes to drive a customized car. One of the 16 recipients of the 2023 [[NCPEDP]]-[[LTIMindtree]] Helen Keller Awards;<ref>{{cite news|title=24th NCPEDP-LTIMindtree Helen Keller Awards 2023|url=https://ncpedp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NCPEDP-LTIMindtree-HKA-2023-Brochure_081223.pdf}}</ref> she has also received a national award from [[Ramnath Kovind]], President of India under locomotor disability/cerebral palsy category on occasion of [[International Day of People with Disability]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Defying Disability, This Is How A Wheelchair-Bound Woman Fulfilled Her Dream Of Becoming A Doctor & A Model|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/defying-disability-this-is-how-ahttps://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2020/Mar/07/talks-of-empowerment-2113307.html-wheelchair-bound-woman-fulfilled-her-dream-of-becoming-a-doctor-a-model-335933.html}}</ref> As a [[motivational speaker]], she has spoken at several events.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disability led me to explore life in different ways – My Take by Rajalakshmi, Miss Wheelchair World 2017 contestant|url=https://newzhook.com/story/13478/}}</ref> Besides being a [[Gold Medalist]] in [[Dental Surgery]], she is also a M.Sc. in [[Psychology]], which she pursued via correspondence.<ref name="deccanherald.com">{{cite news|title=A doctor who stands tall despite her physical disability|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/394862/a-doctor-stands-tall-despite.html}}</ref> She loves to travel and has already travelled to over a dozen nations on wheelchair.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bengaluru dentist Rajalakshmi all set to make waves at Miss Wheelchair World 2017|url=https://newzhook.com/story/13474/}}</ref>

==Education, legal battles and work==
Rajalakshmi's parents, S. Janardhan Murthy and Shobha were doctors. She received a bachelor's degree in Dental Science (BDS) 2007 from Oxford Dental College. She completed her graduation and [[internship]] in a wheelchair, after the accident and won a [[Gold Medal]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=The Dentist Who Is Also a Disability Rights Activist, Motivational Speaker, and a Showstopper|url=https://www.theweekendleader.com/Heroism/2679/the-unstoppable-winner.html}}</ref> After her accident in 2007 that left her [[paraplegic]], she had to fight a legal battle in [[Karnataka High Court]] (filed on her behalf by her mother) to pursue her master's degree in dental surgery from [[Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences]]. A favorable judgment got her admission into [[Government Dental College, Bangalore]], and in the process, got 3% reservation policy for the disabled implemented across India.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|title=An Unstoppable Spirit: Dr Rajalakshmi's Inspiring Story!|url=https://jfwonline.com/article/an-unstoppable-spirit-dr-rajalakshmis-inspiring-story/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Adversity Did not Kill This Girl's Determination|url= https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2014/Mar/27/adversity-did-not-kill-this-girl%E2%80%99s-determination-591207.html}}</ref> In 2016, she and her mother, who was her companion; filed a case against [[Air India]] in Karnataka High Court for misplacing her wheelchair at [[Airports of London|London Airport]] during her [[Europe]] tour. The high court observed that Air India's conduct violated [[petitioner]]s fundamental rights as well as provisions under [[Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995|1995 PWD Act]]. The court ordered suitable compensation for both petitioners.<ref>{{cite news|title=Karnataka high court asks Air India to pay Rs 20-lakh relief to physically challenged doctor|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-high-court-asks-air-india-to-pay-rs-20-lakh-relief-to%20physically-challenged-doctor/articleshow/71886377.cms}}</ref> She says that disabled people should be inducted into government in different capacities. Only then problems they face can be understood and addressed.<ref>{{cite news|title='Appoint specially-abled in govt:' Miss Wheelchair World Pageant|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2022/Dec/02/appoint-specially-abled-in-govtmiss-wheelchair-world-pageant-2524560.html}}</ref>
[[File:Sj_foundation.png|thumb|200x200px]]

Despite being a gold medallist in Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), she diddn't get a job, so she opened her own dental clinic. She has been part of research projects on [[genetics]] and has presented papers.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|title=Miss Wheelchair World Pageant: Bengaluru's Dr Rajalakshmi Wins Miss Popularity!|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/116444/dr-rajalakshmi-miss-wheelchair-world/}}</ref> Rajalakshmi always had a passion for [[Model (person)|modelling]], and she has continued to pursue that passion by participating in [[beauty pageants]]. She has also studied [[fashion designing]].<ref name=":0"/> Currently she is also an assistant professor in Government Dental College, Bangalore.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Motivational Story of Miss Wheelchair India 2014 ~ Dr.Rajalakshmi SJ|url=https://medium.com/@GlowRoad/the-motivational-story-of-miss-wheelchair-india-2014-dr-rajalakshmi-sj-545325789c1f}}</ref> As a certified wheelchair service peer trainer; she works with [[World Health Organization]] (WHO), to help and train disabled people, donors, and physiotherapists select the right wheelchair for the disabled.<ref name=":0"/> As a dentist she conducts free dental health camps at schools, through SJ Foundation, her [[NGO]]. SJ foundation primarily focuses on working to improve the lives of the disabled and underprivileged people, among other things.<ref name=":1"/>

==Medical history==

In 2007, at the age of 21, Rajalakshmi as the college topper was going to [[Vellore]], [[Tamil Nadu]] by road to attend a national dental seminar <ref name="deccanherald.com"/> and present a paper, but a truck driver dozed off and rammed the truck into her car, causing an accident that damaged her [[spinal cord]] making her [[paraplegic]] in lower part of her body.<ref>{{cite news|title=Topper dentist rises above wheelchair|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/topper-dentist-rises-above-wheelchair/articleshow/32741472.cms}}</ref> Trained in [[Bharatnatyam]] [[dance]] as well as [[Western dance (Europe and North America)|western dance]], and an aspiring model; the accident not only dashed those dreams but forced her to miss one year of her studies. She spent over 6 months in & out of the hospital and endured major surgeries and numerous [[physiotherapy]] sessions. Despite many surgeries, the accident left her paraplegic for life. It took her almost one year to get used to a wheelchair after initially rejecting it, and then realizing that she would remain 'stuck in time and place' if she didn't take control of her life.<ref>{{cite news|title=व्हीलचेयर वाली ये लड़की मिस इंडिया, मिस पॉपुलैरिटी और डेंटल सर्जन है|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/lifestyle/health-miss-india-wheelchair-dr-sj-rajalakshmi-wins-miss-popularity-1187437.html}}</ref><ref name=":1"/><ref name=":0"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Mom wins battle for disabled daughter|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/mom-wins-battle-for-disabled-daughter/articleshow/6099880.cms}}</ref> This happened after she realized there is no foolproof cure for her and she has to live with paralysed limbs for the rest of her life.

== Miss India Wheelchair 2014 contest ==

Rajalakshmi won Miss Wheelchair India 2014 in [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]] where the runner-up was [[Virali Modi]]. She was among the 7 participants selected from over 200 applications across India. Next year in 2015, she organized the Miss Wheelchair India 2015 pageant, in her hometown [[Bengaluru]] through her NGO, SJ Foundation, which she set up in 2015.<ref name=":2"/><ref>{{cite news|title=A Life Of Triumph: Journey Of Rajalakshmi Beyond Disabilities|url=https://theglobalhues.com/a-life-of-triumphjourney-of-rajalakshmi-beyond-disabilities/}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|title=Newsletterjan-march2015withoutcurve|url=https://mobility-india.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NewsletterJan-March2015.pdf}}</ref>

==Miss Wheelchair World 2017 contest==

Rajalakshmi participated in the Miss Wheelchair World 2017 in [[Warsaw]], [[Poland]]; where she won the 'Miss Popularity' Award. She competed against 24 contestants from various countries including France, India, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Russia, and USA.<ref>{{cite news|title=Miss Wheelchair World 2017: Indian wins 'Miss Popularity'|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/miss-wheelchair-world-2017-indian-wins-miss-popularity-21210/}}</ref> For the event extensions were added to her wheelchair that allowed her to implement her ideas on stage during the event. The pageant was a learning experience for her as she had to learn to do many things herself.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bengaluru dentist wins Miss Popularity title at Miss Wheelchair World 2017 pageant in Poland|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/bengaluru-dentist-wins-miss-popularity-title-miss-wheelchair-world-2017-pageant-poland-69846}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajalakshmi S.J}}
[[Category:Disability organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Indian disability rights activists]]
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Rajalakshmi S. J. - Revision history

RonaldKign: Added new data!