Who Is Suvarna Raj? Wiki, Biography, Age, Husband, Height, Family & Facts About Para-Athlete
Suvarna Raj is a para-athlete, social worker, and disability rights activist from India. She has represented India in various international sports events, such as the Asian Para Games, the Thailand Para Table Tennis Open, and the National Para-Athletic Championships. She has also won several medals and awards for her achievements in sports and social work. Suvarna is an inspiration for many people with disabilities, as she has overcome many challenges and hardships in her life.
Suvarna Raj Wiki/Bio
| Name | Suvarna Raj |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 1984 |
| Birth place | Nagpur, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Caste | Scheduled Caste |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Occupation | Para-athlete, social worker, disability rights activist |
| Spouse | Pradeep Raj |
| Children | Pranav Raj |
| Sports | Powerlifting, table tennis, athletics |
| Awards | National Role Model Award (2014), Nari Shakti Puraskar (2018), Limca Book of Records (2019) |
| Links | Instagram- @suvarnarajathlete Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday and Education
Suvarna Raj was born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in 1984 (age: 39 years, as of 2023). She contracted polio when she was two years old, which affected the movement of both her legs. She suffers from 90 percent disability and is wheelchair-bound. Her parents could not take care of her, so they enrolled her in hostels from a very young age. She studied in a school for the differently-abled, where she learned various types of sports. She was encouraged by her teachers to take up powerlifting, as they saw her potential in the sport.
Suvarna completed her BCom and MCom from Nagpur University. She then moved to Delhi, where she pursued a master’s in social work from Indira Gandhi National Open University. She also learned computer skills and graphic designing and worked as a freelancer for some time.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 2 inches
- Weight: 61 kg
- Eye color: Black
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: Brown
Para-Athlete Suvarna Raj Faces Harassment on Flight, Alleges Indifference by Airline Staff
Suvarna Raj, a para-athlete and a disability rights activist, has alleged that she was mistreated and harassed by the airline staff during her flight from Delhi to Chennai on January 26, 2024. She is wheelchair-bound, claimed that she was not given proper assistance and facilities by the crew members of the flight, and was forced to sit on an uncomfortable seat for the entire duration of the journey.
She has represented India in various international sports events, such as the Asian Para Games, the Thailand Para Table Tennis Open, and the National Para-Athletic Championships, was travelling to Chennai to participate in a sports camp. She had booked her ticket online and had requested for a wheelchair and a front-row seat, as per the guidelines of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
However, when she reached the airport, she found out that her seat had been changed to a middle-row seat, which was not suitable for her. She requested the airline staff to change her seat, but they refused to do so, citing unavailability of seats. She also complained that the wheelchair provided to her was not functional, and she had to be carried by the staff to board the flight.
Suvarna said that she felt humiliated and discriminated by the airline staff, who did not show any empathy or respect towards her. She also said that the staff did not help her with her luggage, and did not offer her any food or water during the flight. She said that she had to endure a lot of pain and discomfort, as she could not move or stretch her legs on the seat.
She said that she had faced similar problems in the past, while travelling by train or bus, but she did not expect such treatment from a reputed airline. She said that she had lodged a complaint with the airline authorities, and had also written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA, seeking action against the airline staff. She said that she wanted to raise awareness about the rights and needs of people with disabilities, and to ensure that they are treated with dignity and equality.
Suvarna is not only a sportsperson but also a social worker and a founder of the Association for Disabled People, a non-governmental organization that works for the welfare and empowerment of people with disabilities. She has also received many awards and recognition for her work and achievements, such as the National Role Model Award, the Nari Shakti Puraskar, and the Limca Book of Records. She is an inspiration for many people with disabilities, as she has overcome many challenges and hardships in her life.
Net Worth
| Year | Estimated net worth (INR) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.0 Crore |
| 2022 | 2.70 Crore |
| 2023 | 2.43 Crore |
Career and Achievements
Suvarna Raj started her career as a powerlifter in 2002. She participated in many national-level championships and won several medals. She also qualified for the World Powerlifting Championship in 2008, but could not attend due to lack of funds and sponsorship. She then switched to table tennis, following the footsteps of her husband Pradeep Raj, who is also a para-athlete. She trained under the guidance of coach Sandeep Gupta and improved her skills in the sport.
Raj made her international debut in table tennis in 2013, when she participated in the Thailand Para Table Tennis Open in Bangkok. She won two medals, a silver in the singles event and a bronze in the team event. She also represented India in the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea, where she reached the quarterfinals. She also competed in the National Para-Athletic Championships in 2017 and 2022, where she won medals in table tennis and athletics.
Suvarna is not only a sportsperson but also a social worker and a disability rights activist. She is the founder of the Association for Disabled People, a non-governmental organization that works for the welfare and empowerment of people with disabilities. She also runs a wheelchair repair workshop, where she provides free service and maintenance to wheelchair users.
She has also filed several petitions and complaints against the authorities for the lack of accessibility and facilities for the differently-abled. She has raised her voice against the discrimination and harassment faced by people with disabilities in various sectors, such as education, employment, transport, and sports.
Suvarna Raj has received many awards and recognition for her work and achievements. She was honored with the National Role Model Award by former president Pranab Mukherjee in 2014. She was also conferred with the Nari Shakti Puraskar by President Ram Nath Kovind in 2018. She was also featured in the Limca Book of Records in 2019 for being the first Indian woman para-athlete to participate in three different sports at the international level.
Husband, Kids
Suvarna is married to Pradeep Raj, who is also a para-athlete and a social worker. They met at a sports event in 2008 and got married in 2010. They have a son named Prasoon, who was born in 2012. She says that her husband and son are her biggest support and motivation. She also says that her parents are proud of her achievements and have accepted her as she is.
Suvarna Raj is a woman of courage and determination. She has faced many difficulties and obstacles in her life, but she has never given up on her dreams and goals. She has proved that disability is not a barrier, but a challenge that can be overcome with hard work and perseverance. She has also dedicated her life to the cause of the disabled community, and has fought for their rights and dignity. She is a role model and a hero for many people, especially women, with disabilities. She is a true example of Nari Shakti, or women power.
