Here is a story of a DJ differently-abled Varun, who happens to be a normal MBA guy with so many aspirations. However, one accident changes everything for him. It takes away from him his dreams, access to normal life and made him dependent. This happens only till the time he allowed fate to control him. Very soon, he rises above bars, those societal norms, such conviction and judgements that the world has towards a person who is differently-abled. As he proves everyone wrong, today he is the first-ever DJ in a wheelchair. He is recorded as India’s first differently-abled DJ in Limca Book Of Records 2019!
That one day
Varun clearly remembers that day of 7th June 2014 which has brought an unexpected 360 U-turn in his and his family life. Selected for his internship in CNBC on 6th June 2014, he was asked to join from the very next day that is 7th June. To which he refuse and said “I will join from coming Tuesday”, hung up that call. Out of excitement and with a wish to celebrate, he called his friend and made a plan for Manali and in a drift, they left the Delhi same day around 6 in the evening.
The Journey
He never thought this Journey is going to bring a complete change in his life. It is the pleasant weather, with a good ride and in scenic beauty, they enjoy the drive. it is just before the time when they about to reach the hotel in old Manali. He met with an accident and he did not remember anything after that. As Varun recalled he remembered the memory of everyone whom he loves come flashing in front of his eyes.
The First-Aid
He was immediately taken to the nearest hospital/nursing home. Where the medical services were not sufficient to treat him. He was suggested by the doctors that he must be moved to either Chandigarh or Delhi asap. His friends discussed this with his family and they took the decision to take him to Delhi by road. The option of the airlift was ruled out as the weather conditions were bad and his friends immediately drove him back from Manali.
Immediate rush back to Delhi
After the first aid, he was conscious, but he was feeling light as if his body is not with him. Complete numbness made his body light. He lost control over his body. He could not walk, talk, drink, or lift any limb. After 12 hours of the long drive, they reached Delhi. His treatment got started in ISIC Vasant Kunj and he was operated on immediately. After three days of ICU, he was shifted to the room where he starts realizing things but still was confused. Till that time nobody from his family told him anything. All he is seeing the smiling faces around him with tears in their eyes!
The fact unveil
As he was still trying to catch hold of the things that happen to him, that he could never imagine. The doctor comes to review his reports. During that time Varun tries to lift his leg. After some effort, he realizes he is unable to move his legs. With much courage, Varun asks the doctor “I cannot move my legs”. The doctor looks at Varun for a second and checks back his reports. That silence from the doctor, made Varun ask him once again, “Doctor, I am not able to move my legs”. That was when the doctor informed him that “You will not be able to walk ever again”!
To which Varun considered as some kind of a joke. With a smile on his face Vasrun, cross-checked the doctor and said “You are kidding me, aren’t you?” The doctor looked at his face and said, “No, you will never be able to walk again. Your spinal cord got injured and your legs are paralyzed now”
From the level of injury to acceptance
For a moment he was quiet, trying to understand what is just conveyed. He looked at his mother, she was crying. Varun only shows courage and replies back to the doctor, “OK”.
Immediately, as the doctor left the room, and Varun sees her mom, who is still crying. Made him think, “Who is he (Doctor) to tell me that I will never be able to walk?” and after few minutes of such thoughts Varun said to his mother, “You don’t worry, MOM he’s no one to tell me, that I will never able to walk” and she hugged him and said, “I believe you, my brave son”.
Determination to move back to his normal life on wheels
The new day, a new journey for him. He started focusing on his physiotherapy. Varun keeps hearing from doctors that he will never be able to walk. At present Varun was not able to sit. There is no sensation below the chest, everything is numb. he did his physio for three months in the hospital regained some balance in his body. But, yes there was no drastic change. Varun still remembers those three months of doing the physiotherapy, with the best of his efforts. And despite all, the only thing he is able to do is put his headphones on, go to the therapy and come back to the room. However, there is always one thing that prevailed with him is his mother’s belief that yes, he can walk.
Connecting to his hidden talent
Varun has always dream to become a Producer cum DJ. Though, initially, he thought how is this possible. Very soon, he perceives this situation to be a stepping stone to venture into DJing. After three months as he came back home, the first thing he did was ordered producing music. There are times when God puts you in a situation, where you have to learn something new. As Varun says” For me whatever happens, it happens for good to me”.
Time to learn something new
Varun spent his next 2 complete years while learning about producing music. Side-by-side his physiotherapy is going on. He has a dream to be the best differently-abled DJ, and this dream of his did not let him think of anything else, be it pain, good or bad, which is going in his life. He does remember very well that for those two years, he didn’t saw a sunset the only thing he focuses on is learning music.
Here comes some good news
There came a time when his body starts to respond a bit. He regains slight balance and sensation in his body. This is a bouncing situation for him as if he was eagerly waiting for the slightest positive response to happen from his body. Varun begins going out to learn how to drive a car. This made him independent and also confident. Much sooner, Varun saw the same world with a new perspective and going to places independently.
An inspiring comeback
After becoming independent, his next mission was to gain professional knowledge about DJ production and Music. He searches for formal institutes, which could take his learning to the next level. Varun initiated reaching out to people who run DJ Academy, as expected people did not accept him being in a wheelchair. Without taking names of those institutes he was rejected coz of the simple reason that he is not normal. Never given a chance to play or to prove his talent. The question was not about his interest, it was about the societal non-acceptance.
Well, as many determined passionate people have done in the past, Varun too was never gonna lose hope. He has asked from the heart the entire universe conspires to grant him his wish. Then he came to know about this Music Academy in Gurugram (ILM Academy). They were the only ones who feels happy to have me as their student. Even they made every possible effort from having ramps for him, to put consoles outside and even more. Varun in return learns the best from them with his non-stoop and rigorous efforts. This institute provides every best thing to make him a Pro!
Time to Rock the show
After successfully completing his course he encounters the real-life world. He knew the best of his work, but to make the society understand which is driven by looks, appearances, and their own pre-conceived judgements. Making deaf hear was a hell of a lot of a task when the community has accepted him as different and incapable just coz of his physical condition. Varun, did his best to make the people understand that he too is the same and normal as other DJs and can perform best, given a chance.
Varun proves to the world
As I met the world, I always say this to them, don’t judge me because I am differently-abled, if you want to judge or criticize me do it for my work. Search for the work took him almost 6-7 months ups and downs but no progress. He sits at places for almost 3-4 hours but no revert. he did play at some venues for free. Varun differently-abled DJ said at one place, “if you want to give me work don’t do it because am differently-abled listen to my work then decide”. Then one day someone understood, he got a mail from Kitty su, one of the best clubs in Delhi and they appreciated my work, and want to give me a gig! and that gave a kick-start to his career as a professional DJ.
Varun Says
“If you keep working without a thought in your mind it will end in positivity. You may have 100 reasons not to do something, but if you have even 1 reason to do it. You will be able to do it. I will walk once again no doubt about it.” The only message he wants to put across is, “if you are in trouble then theirs a reason behind it, you only have to find it and you will achieve it”. Varun differently-abled DJ says, he doesn’t need sympathy at all. He said, “I am also a normal human being, don’t stare at me”. Its high time society must come out of its conventional thinking.
Yes, it is possible
“I have achieved it because I have worked towards it like a normal human. I am no different.” He echos, that acceptance is a vital part of starting something from scratch. Varun has accepted, himself the way he is. He doesn’t crib, not even for a day, he cribbed about his situation. Varun differently-abled DJ never realizes when his wishlist got a tick mark and he feels blessed to open with his talent at festivals like timeout 72, budx… and still it’s the beginning, says the Bharat Prerna awardee and also the recipient of Epic award.
He has a lot on his wish list some of these are, to play in festivals like ultra, magnetic fields and much more international events and festivals.
Story of Varun differently-abled DJ got featured in Yourstory, Hindustan times, Midday, Menxs, CNBC tv, and Outlook
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