In conversation with Ms. Malini Chib - Founder and Co-Chairperson of the ADAPT (Able Disabled All People Together) Rights Group.
Educational background: Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Studies through Oxford Brookes University, UK. Currently doing part-time Master’s in Women’s Studies, Mary Ward Centre, London, UK.
If you are looking for a quick shot of instant inspiration – you have to go and meet Malini Chib. If you want to grow from a very small base to a big base – go and see Malini Chib. If the whole situation of your life is looking hopeless and wrecked, do a coffee hour with Malini Chib and you will get up shaking hands with her and saying to yourself, ‘Jerk! Learn something from Malini!’ Additionally, if you happen to be quite mature and promising and in possession of a solid long-term approach to succeed in whatever you plan – then, all the more, take it like a serious assignment to get your copy of Malini’s book: One Little Finger, and grab the privilege to get the book duly signed by her.
One Little Finger is the autobiography of Malini Chib – a woman who defied all odds to emerge victorious inspite of a crippling disability and an indifferent society. Malini has Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition, which makes body movements and speech extremely difficult. However, the cognitive functions of brain can often remain normal – as in the case of Malini. Despite, the lifelong crippling disability, prejudice, stigma – Malini has not only survived but triumphed in learning and mastering that life is to be lived to the fullest, no matter what comes our way. In my mind, there is no doubt that the lady in her forties is not only a brave soldier in spirit – she is a philosopher, too.
At her book-launch-event held in Mumbai recently, I became entirely convinced that Malini is the running theme of our spiritual books. To quote the author from her book, One Little Finger, her words are: I think the art of living, lies not just in confronting our troubles but minimizing them and focusing on the positive aspects of life.
Today, Malini Chib stands tall as the Founder and Co-Chairperson of the ADAPT (Able Disabled All People Together) Rights Group. She holds International Master’s degrees in Women’s Studies and Library Sciences and Information Management. Malini is also a freelance writer-activist and travels extensively in India and abroad. Malini is Senior Events Manager, Oxford Bookstore, Mumbai, India.
Q 1. What has been the turning point of your life? A. St. Xavier College (Mumbai, India) and then my empowerment in London.
Q 2. If you could go back in time, what would you want to do? A. My family always regrets the fact that we came back from England to India, because I could have developed more in England. To India, my Mother returned for pioneering services for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy. In India my development was slow.
Q 3. What are your future dreams? A. To make India more accessible to the needs of individuals related with Cerebral Palsy.
If you are looking for a quick shot of instant inspiration – you have to go and meet Malini Chib. If you want to grow from a very small base to a big base – go and see Malini Chib. If the whole situation of your life is looking hopeless and wrecked, do a coffee hour with Malini Chib and you will get up shaking hands with her and saying to yourself, ‘Jerk! Learn something from Malini!’ Additionally, if you happen to be quite mature and promising and in possession of a solid long-term approach to succeed in whatever you plan – then, all the more, take it like a serious assignment to get your copy of Malini’s book: One Little Finger, and grab the privilege to get the book duly signed by her.