Dr. Singh contracted polio as an infant which resulted in physical disability in his legs. Aside from being an excellent and empathetic physician, he is a tireless and courageous activist and advocate for the disability community. He has successfully alleviated the challenges faced by aspiring medical professionals with disabilities and is actively working towards improving accessibility for all. Some of Dr. Singh’s notable accomplishments include fighting discrimination and policy reforms that unlocked 1,674 faculty posts for doctors with disabilities and disabled-friendly websites at hospitals and dignified airport security screening of people with disabilities. Dr. Singh’s recognitions include being the first Indian to receive the prestigious Henry Viscardi Achievement Award in 2017 for being an exemplary leader within the disability community with extraordinary societal contributions, being named Medical Council of India’s 'Medical Personality of the Year' 2017 and the NCPEDP MphasiS Universal Design Awards 2013 for promoting accessibility and ensuring a life of equality and dignity for persons with disabilities.

Which of your qualities helps you as a physician?S: The lived experience of having a disability makes me an empathetic physician as I know the pain & struggle of being a person with disability. Fighting the attitudinal barriers of society makes me more perseverant.

What was the biggest roadblock while advocating for doctors with disabilities? How did you overcome it?S: It was the societal attitude. Even the officials in Health Ministry had their own biases & prejudices towards Docs with Disabilities & aspirant students with disabilities. It took me judicial advocacy to break such mindset’s. For those unseen faces for whom I fought this battle will be the future role models as competent physicians & I hope they carry forward the legacy by creating a ripple effect of competent physicians who just happen to have a disability.

What are your initiatives for increasing disability awareness?S: Judicial advocacy is one by challenging discriminatory guidelines. I was able to succeed in introducing disability rights in competency based medical education which will promote human rights model of disability among future doctors. Mentoring medical students with disabilities is another way to showcase inclusion.

What challenges did you face during your school days? How did you motivate yourself to face those challenges?S: Bullying from students from other class was a challenge but fortunately I had good peers who always encouraged me. Infact, in a hockey game which I was watching, when my team had a player injured, they asked me to do the goal keeping & I happily saved few goals. I was fortunate to have great family support & I found great mentors in my academic career. Spending more time with positive people definitely change your mindset.

Who is your inspiration?S: Adversity. It brings out the best in me. If you spend more time with the problem, you will automatically find ways to tackle it.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?S: I love lakes and water bodies. Anywhere, be it in the mountains or near beaches. I am the first one to jump at the sight of water. Infact, I have explored some unexplored gems in the hilly region of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand in India. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is my dream destination where I haven’t gone.

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?S: Disability is diversity; Disability is not inability. With full love, support & guidance, children with disabilities excel like any other children. They need the necessary support & guidance to build their confidence. Once they get it, sky is the limit!

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to become a medical professional?S: Shadow a physician to know the challenges of medicine as a profession. Assess your strengths & weaknesses. Look for role models in that field. Know your rights & appropriate accommodations on offer to smoothen your transition in this competitive field.

Any special message for our community?S: I do not believe in the concept of normalcy. Even two identical twins are not identical. Diversity is the way forward. Embrace your disability identity as self-acceptance is the first thing as you go out in community & challenge stereotypes. Nothing is impossible; possibilities are endless; recognise the fighter in you and be a change agent.