Bhubaneswar, June 27: A number of differently-abled students, who braved the odds and triumphed in the face of adversity, were felicitated by Swabhiman today.

The organisation works for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Sushree Sarangi, a 25-year-old lady, who has beaten unbelievable odds to fulfil her childhood dream after an accident left her a quadriplegic, was one of the awardees. Now, she is the first doctor in a wheelchair from Odisha.

She was in her second year of medical studies at the Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital, when she was confined to a wheelchair following an accident. But she chose to fight back, finally getting her MBBS this year.

She said one of the major problems she has faced during the last few years was the problem of accessibility. "There is no help for people like us apart from ramps in a few pubic buildings. But there are other needs as well such as doorways, accessible toilets and public transport," she said.

Sushree plans to obtain a postgraduate degree in general medicine after a few years of practice. She was felicitated today during the Prerana Samman ceremony at a hotel in the city.

Around 24 differently-abled students from across the state, who have secured more than 70 per cent in matriculation examinations, were felicitated at the event. The awardees included Arpita Priyadarshini, a handicapped student who has received an MPhil from Gangadhar Meher University. Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, a visually-impaired student from Nuapada, who scored 86 per cent in the matriculation examinations, is also a national-level chess player .

"For people like us, it is difficult to study technical subjects. I used my laptop to study and for social science subjects, I asked my parents to read out the textbooks which I tried my best to memorise," said Soundarya.

Asked why he did not use Braille books, he said: "I stopped using Braille in Class V. They are not easily available in our state, so one should not be dependent on them. I wish the government made such books accessible." He wants to become a physicist.

Another handicapped student, Suchismita Sahoo, who scored 89 per cent, said: "Receiving awards always boosts confidence."

"Schools in the state are still not well-equipped to admit children with disabilities. Problems such as lack of motivated and trained teachers and basic facilities such as seating arrangements are not ideal. All of us should work towards bettering their future," said Sruti Mohapatra, a social activist and founder of Swabhiman.