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No Arms, No legs, No limit: Inspiring journey of Payal Nag
In the midst of Balangir, Odisha, a teenage girl named Payal Nag’s life was changed forever by an unfortunate accident. At a young age, she lost both arms and legs through an accidental electrocution that overshadowed her future.
Her family, hardly managing to fend for themselves, was left bewildered by the sheer magnitude of the task at hand in catering to the required care and needs of their child. In a heart-breaking move, they put Payal in an orphanage, hoping that she would get the specialist care that she so badly required.
The walls of the orphanage, though, could not smother the flame of resilience in Payal. Even with her physical limitations, her spirit was not broken. She discovered comfort and outlet in art, learning to hold a delicate brush between her teeth, making rich sketches that reflected her inner resilience and unyielding spirit.
However, Payal’s tale was not meant to be locked within the orphanage walls. A call for assistance, a prayer for an opportunity to live life better, traveled the virtual halls of social media. This cry was heard by Kuldeep Vedwan, an experienced archery trainer with a dream to enable people with disabilities to live life to the fullest through sports.
Kuldeep Vedwan: Believe in Payal Nag
Kuldeep, coach to Paralympic bronze medalist Sheetal Devi, saw potential in Payal’s tale. He did not see a victim of fate, but a woman with an unconquerable will, ready to be unleashed. Motivated by empathy and the belief in sports as a great leveller, Kuldeep went on a more than 2,000-kilometer quest to Balangir.
When Kuldeep met Payal, he was impressed by the unshakeable resolve and a spark of hope in her eyes. He viewed her as one who had that same spark of energy that propelled Sheetal Devi to worldwide recognition. Kuldeep envisioned an era where Payal would break free from physical constraints and reach her potential in archery.
The journey to fulfilling this dream was not without its challenges. Kuldeep had to fight bureaucratic red tape, obtaining clearance from the Balangir District Collector to bring Payal to his academy in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. Happily, Payal’s sister, Varsha, consented to join her, offering invaluable emotional support at this critical turning point.
Payal’s introduction to the world of para-archery started at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Archery Academy.
Having never heard of the sport before, Payal was motivated by videos of Sheetal Devi, showcasing the incredible things that people with disabilities could do. Kuldeep’s confidence in her abilities also encouraged her further. He told her about the Paralympics, a platform where Payal could prove herself and motivate millions. Payal’s movement from a life of struggle to one of purpose and hope did not come without its emotional price. She remembered the tears of her parents, weighed down by societal stigma and the difficulty of caring for their daughter. The possibility of a better future in archery instilled a renewed sense of purpose in both Payal and her family. “Now, my parents are very happy that I am doing para-archery,” Payal said, her voice filled with gratitude. “They keep motivating me, saying that we know you can do something great”. Kuldeep Vedwan’s knowledge was instrumental in Payal’s career. Previously having created a special mechanism for Sheetal Devi to enable her to shoot using her mouth and legs, Kuldeep developed a system in line with Payal’s own needs. For Payal, the coaching staff, led by Kuldeep, integrated prosthetic legs into her archery equipment. She was taught to grasp the bow with her prosthetic leg, which was specially fitted to the bow. She then used her mouth to operate a latch on her shoulder, enabling her to aim and shoot the arrow accurately. This innovative method, along with Payal’s unrelenting commitment, bore fruit in an incredible way. She made rapid strides, displaying a natural flair for the game. Her precision and concentration were unparalleled, beating the odds and displaying her phenomenal talent.
Payal Nag At Khelo India Para Games:
Payal Nag’s journey in the Khelo India Para Games, and her broader para-archery career, is a testament to incredible resilience and determination. Kuldeep Vedwan’s proud moments as both of his athletes Payal and Sheetal was competing against each other. Sheetal Devi started with a score of 8 and 7 while Payal started off with double 10s. The 17-year-old Payal lost the upper hand in the third round where she shot a 7 for the first time and Sheetal got back to her consistent best of 9s and 10s. The deciding fifth round saw Sheetal clinching the gold at the Khelo India Para Games 2025. However, Payal’s performance was exceptional Khleo India. This would be a confidence booster for her in the upcoming events.
A Journey Forward
Payal Nag’s story is a testament to the power of sport to transform, to the assiduous guidance of a committed coach, and to the unbreakable will of a young woman who refused to be held captive by her disability. As she goes on to develop herself and target the Paralympics, Payal has the hopes and aspirations of millions on her shoulders, to demonstrate that no arms, no legs, no problem, cannot overcome a determined heart.
By-Vaishnavi Ghag
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