Skip to main content
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 21 July 2016

Born with profound hearing loss, school-going Purvi Gupta recounts how she conquered her phobia for speaking in public and became a powerful orator, boldly sharing the dais with Kiran Bedi and delivering long speeches at international forums.

I am a 17-year-old studying Science in the 12th Grade at Delhi Public School. My dream is to become a Computer Engineer.

My life journey has been a bit more challenging than other children as I was born with profound hearing loss in both ears. I was not able to speak anything for a long time.

At a young age my parents enrolled me in Suniye (a Delhi-based non-government organization that has instituted a school for the hearing impaired).

That was one of the best decisions. At Suniye, hearing impaired children acquire language skills, learn to talk, go to regular schools and learn to become independent. I also joined Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for hearing impaired.

Initially, my voice and speech was absolutely unclear. Nobody could understand what I was trying to say. Other children outside school would laugh and poke fun at me. I would feel scared to speak and would keep quiet mostly. Every time I had to speak, I would start stuttering and trembling. Even in school, when I had to read aloud in class, I could feel my hands and legs turning cold, my heart beating and panicking, my voice quivering. I just couldn’t control my emotions.

I spent time with my teachers and parents who taught me to speak. I was made to speak few phrases repeatedly until I got comfortable with that phrase. I went through this process for years. I kept on talking, learning new words and building my vocabulary.

I wasn't confident yet I didn't give up. With time, hard work and practice, I started progressing.

I kept on speaking (as I am the most talkative person) and with time, I gained confidence. I used to feel extremely happy when I would talk and people would understand me. Slowly, I was able to communicate more freely and push my limits further.

To develop speech ability of a hearing impaired, early intervention is crucial.

Today, I am able to speak without hesitation largely due to the constant motivation and guidance at Suniye and Ali Yavar JungSchools.

However, I was still restless to achieve more.

I used to look at girls and boys my age during stage presentations at school events, and would often wonder, how they mustered up so much confidence to go up on stage and speak before a large crowd. How did they speak so much assurance and poise? How did they speak so fluently without errors?

I so eagerly wanted to be up there on stage, amidst them, speaking without getting nervous, but I never thought I would be able to. I was petrified of speaking in front of people in a group. I never knew how to overcome it.

But overcome I did, unknowingly.

There is no exact time as to when it happened. But as I became surer of myself, I began conversing with people in a group; I began talking to strangers fearlessly. My voice would not quiver or stutter. I was able to articulate my thoughts instantly, clearly and persuasively.

Now, I am not afraid anymore. I am not afraid to make mistakes. Because I know making mistakes is a process of growth. It is only through mistakes that I can learn and improve.

Slowly, I started coming on stage for small school functions. With each performance, my confidence grew. I was able to deliver long speeches with immense confidence and clarity. Nor did I shuffle and fidget on stage. I was called frequently to speak on stage and compere shows. One of the highlights was when I was chosen to speak at the annual function of Suniye. I have also been the winner of Badges, Blazers and Blue ties for last eight years given to meritorious students.

My life took another major turn, when I got admission into Delhi Public School Society (DPS), a regular mainstream school.

Today, I have become a powerful orator. By God’s grace I have had the opportunity to speak at platforms around the globe. I have given speeches at the most intimidating places amongst the most daunting people. For instance, I was called by the Press Club, Delhi, to speak on the changes in my life and people’s attitude towards a hearing impaired. Similarly, I was called to speak about my struggles and journey at the Habitat Centre, Delhi. I have had the fortune of sharing the dais with noted personalities like Kiran Bedi and IAS topper Ira Singhal. I have also toured the USA and Europe to talk about my challenges.

My motto in life is - Nothing is Impossible.

Being a hearing impaired is part of my identity. Without it I don't know what kind of person I would turn into. It may sound strange, but I also enjoy several perks of not being able to hear. For instance, I am able to ignore negative comments, I sleep at peace while the dogs raise hell in the neighbourhood with their barking, I am able to enjoy the tranquillity of silence.

I have accepted the way I am with pride and I continue to struggle and live life and provide as much motivation to others who are insecure about themselves.

Life is beautiful when you overcome your fear and accept your weakness as what you are and strengthen it.

Being perfect is too boring and if you won't strive hard for something that means the most to you there would be no adventure. But I have struggled hard in my life and I want to tell others all challenges, no matter how big, can be conquered with perseverance and a positive attitude.