A Story of Courage, Reinvention & Unstoppable Spirit
If strength had a face, it would look a lot like Dr Malvika Iyer, a woman who turned unimaginable tragedy into a life of purpose, leadership, and global inspiration.
At just 13, Malvika survived a devastating grenade blast at her home in Bikaner—an explosion that blew off both her hands, severely damaged her legs with multiple fractures, nerve paralysis and hypoesthesia, and left her bedridden for two years. Doctors weren’t even sure she would survive the first night.
But she did.
And she didn’t just survive… she rose.
The Turning Point: Rebuilding Life from Ground Zero
Confined to bed, undergoing surgeries and unbearable pain, she faced something even tougher: pity, discrimination, and stereotypes.
People reduced her to her disability. Many believed her life was “over”.
But Malvika refused to accept limits.
Her biggest strength?
Her mother, who never allowed her to believe she was “less”. With her support, Malvika began rebuilding her life, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Soon after recovery, she made the boldest decision of her life:
She appeared for her Grade 10 board exams: dictating every answer, even math graphs and equations.
She had only 3 months to prepare, after missing 1.5 years of school.
💥 She scored 97%.
💥 She got 100/100 in Math and Science.
💥 That moment changed her life.
As her mother said:
“The marks are not the achievement. Your courage to even attempt the exams is the real victory.”
Academic Excellence Against All Odds
Malvika continued breaking barriers:
- Economics graduate – St. Stephen’s College, Delhi
- Master’s in Social Work – Delhi School of Social Work
- M.Phil & PhD in Social Work – Madras School of Social Work
- Qualified UGC-NET for JRF & Lectureship
Her academic journey is proof: DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY!
Becoming a Global Voice for Inclusion
Malvika’s adversity made her chose advocacy because she wanted to help many others like her.
Today she is:
✨ A global Disability Rights Activist
✨ An international motivational speaker
✨ A TEDx speaker
✨ A corporate trainer
✨ A model for accessible fashion
✨ A Global Shaper (World Economic Forum)
✨ Member of the India Inclusion Foundation advisory board
Her speeches have been delivered across the US, Singapore, India, Norway, Indonesia & South Africa.
Her “Be Unstoppable” posts on LinkedIn have crossed 100 million views.
She received standing ovations worldwide, including at the United Nations CSW61 Youth Forum.
She was selected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take over his social media accounts on Women’s Day.
She has been celebrated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and featured in 300+ international publications, and honored as one of the 100 Change Agents and Newsmakers of the Decade.
Her Powerful Message to Women
“Being a person with disability is challenging.
Being a woman with disability adds extra challenges.”
Raised in a society that said girls must be “perfectly beautiful”, she broke every label placed on her.
Her advice to women:
- Don’t fit into boxes created by society.
- You don’t need a perfect body to succeed.
- Your effort matters more than the achievement.
- Never give up on yourself, especially on the hard days.
She openly speaks about mental health, body positivity, and finding hope even in pain.
Awards & Recognitions
- Nari Shakti Puraskar (2018) – India’s highest civilian honor for women
- REX Karmaveer Chakra Global Fellowship (2014)
- Women in the World – Emerging Leaders Award (NYT)
- Outstanding Model Student Award
- Featured in children’s books as a role model
- Featured in Deccan Chronicle’s 100 Change Makers of the Decade
And still, her proudest achievement?
Learning to cook.
She says cooking gave her a sense of independence she once thought she’d lost.
Why We Chose Malvika Iyer as Woman of the Week
Because she proves something every woman needs to hear:
It’s never too late to rebuild your life.
And
You are not defined by what you lost, but by what you rise to become.
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