They Said She’d Never Make It. Meet The First Indian Woman In A Wheelchair To Study At Oxford.

Who Is Pratishtha Deveshwar?

Pratishtha Deveshwar is a motivational speaker, TEDx speaker, and disability rights activist whose inspiring journey has touched thousands of lives. With over 36,000 followers on Instagram, she uses her platform to advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. At the age of 13, Pratishtha’s life changed forever after a car accident left her paralysed from the waist down. What followed was a challenging journey of physical recovery, emotional healing, and rebuilding her dreams. Despite spending months in the hospital and years confined to bed, she refused to let her disability define her future. Today, she is recognised for her work in public policy, disability rights, and youth empowerment, proving that resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest circumstances.

What Does Pratishtha Deveshwar Do?

Pratishtha is a disability rights advocate and motivational speaker who actively works towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society. Through her speeches, social media presence, and professional work, she amplifies conversations around disability inclusion and social change.

Her work focuses on:

• Disability rights advocacy and accessibility.
• Motivational speaking and youth empowerment.
• Public policy and social impact initiatives.
• Women and disability inclusion.
• Creating awareness around equal opportunities and representation.

She is currently working as an Associate with Girl Up at the United Nations in New Delhi, where she continues to contribute towards empowering young women and advocating for meaningful social change.

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From Adversity to Oxford

Following her accident, Pratishtha faced numerous challenges, including inaccessible educational spaces that made attending school difficult. Determined to continue her education, she studied from home and graduated at the top of her class.

After school, she secured admission to Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, where she pursued Political Science Honours. Moving away from home and living independently became a transformative experience that helped shape her confidence and advocacy journey.

She later went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Somerville College, University of Oxford, becoming the first Indian woman in a wheelchair to study at Oxford University. Her academic achievements stand as a testament to her perseverance and commitment to creating impact.

Awards and Recognition

Pratishtha’s contributions have earned her recognition on both national and international platforms. Some of her notable achievements include:

• TEDx Speaker.
• Recipient of the Diana Award.
• Honoured with the 75 Achiever Award at the House of Commons in the British Parliament in 2024.
• Recognised as a “Future Female Icon” under the “Pathbreakers Powering New India” initiative for her work advancing the rights of women with disabilities.

These accomplishments reflect not only her professional success but also her dedication to driving meaningful change for people with disabilities.

Advocating for an Inclusive Future

Pratishtha dreams of building a society where accessibility is treated as a fundamental right rather than an afterthought. Through her advocacy, she continues to push for better infrastructure, inclusive policies, and greater representation of people with disabilities.

Her content and work often resonate with:

• Young changemakers and students.
• Individuals with disabilities.
• Women leaders and activists.
• Public policy enthusiasts.
• Organisations working towards inclusion and accessibility.

By sharing her story and using her voice to advocate for change, Pratishtha Deveshwar continues to inspire people to look beyond limitations and believe in the power of resilience.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that while circumstances may change our lives, they do not have the power to define who we become.