Page 45 - DCICAI SOUVENIR 2019

THE INDIAN

BLADE

RUNNER

D P Sin gh

Innovation can be seen in individuals as well. No in 2011, he decided to set up a self-help support
matter what the situation, one can always come up which is also an NGO named ‘The Challenging
with innovative ways to emerge with excellence. This Ones’ to share the mindset, perspective and
is portrayed by India’s very own Major Devender attitude which enabled him to take on the challenges
Pal Singh who, due to his excellence through his in life and convert them into his strength. Major
innovative ideas and dedicated work, is now known Singh’s approach reflects what Steve Jobs once
as The Indian Blade Runner. During his service in said “Innovation is the ability to see change as an
the Kargil War, 1999, a mortar bomb dropped right opportunity - not a threat”.
next to him, causing most of his body to be injured
with all sorts of particles. The shrapnel in his right leg Such excellent innovating thoughts lead to
led to have cause irreversible damage, leading to excellence through innovation, which when we
having to amputate the leg to avoid further damage experience, helps us excel in the little innovations
to the body. This would have been a major setback we do every day.
to any person, but Major Singh had no regrets.
Without any complaints, he decided to take on the These examples of innovative ideas that lead to
world. With his innovative ideas and tremendous sheer excellence is what makes life worth living
amount of dedication, he became the first amputee for. The ability to convert the hardships in life to
to perform solo skydiving from 9000 ft. something excellent, so positive and beneficial in
life requires a lot of dedication, teamwork, patience
After meeting with the amputees, he mentioned and just a little magic, Innovation isn’t any less
“What I have understood is that these people are than that, is it?
not special because they are specially – abled, but
because despite having lost a limb or mobility, in a
part of their body, they can still do certain activities
a lot better than the people with a ‘fully intact body’
can ever.“
After Major Singh finished his fourth Half Marathon,