The Latest

Vidisha Baliyan From UP Becomes The First Indian To Win Miss Deaf World 2019 Title

byLoveleen Kaur
26th July 2019
2 minute read

Just when you thought that life’s being tough on you, a hearing-impaired Indian beauty just achieved something that might seem impossible for many.

21-year-old Vidisha Baliyan, who is struggling from a hearing-impaired condition, was crowned Miss Deaf World 2019.

Hailing from Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, she made India proud by being the first Indian to win the prestigious title at the international annual beauty pageant.

View this post on Instagram

Admiring my dream-come-true trophy and moment. Earlier I felt surreal but now I think life prepared me every step of the way for this. For every one who thinks ‘less’ of disabled people and pity them, please know that disability is simply a condition and not a “problem”! And God grants grace for every challenge we encounter. And people who are disabled have acceptance of things in life because our expectations are less. I have noticed that people feel scared to feel happiness fully thinking that it might slip away later.But what’s life if we don’t savor moments completely? Stylist: @ganeshvyas jewellery: @suhana_art_and_jewels #missdeafworld #enjoylifenow #everythingisinourfavor #goldenmoments #crown #trophy #southafrica #lovelife #timeschange #lifechanges #liveitup #lovealloflife #ganeshvyas #stylist #dressinggoals

A post shared by Vidisha Baliyan (@vidishabaliyan_missworld2019) on

Vidisha has completely hearing impairment in her right ear and 90% in the left, but she can lip-read and talk.

The international beauty pageant was held in Mbombela, South Africa. A modelling student Vidisha was chosen among the 11 finalists from 16 participating countries in the final round.

Reportedly, she is also an international tennis player who had represented India in the Deaflympics.

She was also crowned Miss Deaf India in February this year. Ecstatic Vidisha wrote this while sharing a video of her “crowning moment, “My crowning moment. My tears here are telling more than any words could express. The joy, the pains, the hard work, the belief, the early mornings – all are worth it. Being crowned as the first Indian to win in the Miss Deaf World Category. Feeling surreal. Thank you God.”

View this post on Instagram

While being crowned as miss Deaf World would be etched in my memory for lifetime, the win was extra special to me for many reasons. . . As a hearing-impaired child, from not hearing the doorbell to being ignored by people, I’ve seen it all. But after seeing a meteoric rise in my sports career as a tennis player who earned the 5th rank in ‘Deaflympics’, tennis became as important as breathing. And then life’s another blow – a severe back injury left my hopes fractured. . . . Unable to see a reason to live, I didn’t give up because of the strength my family gave me. And in time, I was shown another way – Miss Deaf India. A novice to the world of beauty and fashion, I learnt what was needed and won the title. . . I am blessed with a quality – if I put my mind to something then I don’t measure efforts or time, I give it my all. Whether it’s dancing, basketball, swimming, tennis or yoga, I never slack in my efforts. Maybe as a disabled child I learnt to overcompensate by my hard work to overcome my ability to listen properly. . . . By the grace of the universe, after the Miss Deaf India contest, we crossed paths with Wheeling Happiness, an NGO who empowers disabled people. . . . Thank you for each and every person who contributed in this victory. The crown is ours. 👑 . . Stylist: @ganeshvyas #blog #fromtheheart #missdeafworld2019 #southafrica #winner #wheelinghappiness #disabled #hearingimpaired #positivevibes

A post shared by Vidisha Baliyan (@vidishabaliyan_missworld2019) on

She even performed the complex ‘tandav’ during the talent round of the pageant and blew the judges with her grace and confidence.

Cherishing her victory, she shared some of her beautiful moments from her journey to become Miss Deaf World 2019:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Sprn8gqDt/

She was reportedly trained by India’s first female Paralympic winner, Deepa Malik, and her team, to participate in the international contest.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Vz2ZagOY5/

Great going, girl. More power to you.

📣 Storypick is now on Telegram! Click here to join our channel (@storypick) and never miss another great story.