Virali Modi - Disability Rights Activist, Motivational Speaker & Model

What was your ambition as a Child? 

12-year-old me was I guess chaos in motion on the best day possible. One day I wanted to win the Oscar and the other I wanted to wheel the scalpel! But the goal was never the title; the goal was always impacted! How can I be impactful!? Whatever I became, I wanted to help people. That hasn’t changed! Only the stage has gotten bigger! 

From battling a coma to becoming a wheelchair-bound motivational speaker - when did you realize your story could change lives? 

A doctor once asked me why do I use a wheelchair. So I told him the whole masala...one day I was dancing and the next I was in a coma. I was declared dead thrice but somehow I woke up on my birthday! He just looked at me and said, “You need to be a speaker!” That was my turning point! That's when I realised, that, my story isn’t just for me but for everyone who ever thought ‘This is the end!’ Spoiler, ‘It is not!’ 

What does motivation mean to you, especially on days when things feel impossible? 

Motivation is cute! But discipline and consistency are the real MVPs. When life feels impossible, I don’t rely on motivation, I rely on muscle memory. You keep showing up! Messy, tired, unmotivated, depressed, you show up anyway! And that’s power! 

What has been your biggest win as a disability rights activist so far? 

Inspiring people to realize their voice matters, that’s the real win! 

As one of India’s wheelchair motivational speaker, what were some of the early challenges - were organizers ever hesitant? 

Always, the second the word disable enters the chat, people tend to get nervous, not because they are cruel but because they are clueless. Representation changes that! I showed up, took space, made noise and slowly the hesitation turned into curiosity and curiosity turned into confidence. That’s how change works! 

If you had a billboard in every Indian city, what would it say? 

It would read in exclamation points, ‘Disable’ is not a bad word! Stop sugarcoating our reality. We don’t need inspirational nicknames, we need ramps, accessible washrooms, inclusive fashion, and equal opportunities. Euphemism won’t get me into the building, but accessibility will be. 

Has there ever been a talk that left you deeply impacted or changed? 

Anything by Muniba Mazari. She’s grace and fire wrapped in one. I mean, I had the privilege of speaking with her and honestly, I was star struck! Her words cut through the noise and goes straight through your soul. 

For the next generation of differently abled youth in India, what’s your one message? 

Don’t let society shrink you into a box that they’re more comfortable with. Your disability is a part of your story but not your whole identity. Your mindset, that’s your superpower! So, claim your space, loudly and proudly! 

How would you describe your personal style? 

Chunky earrings are my love language! Indo-western fits that let me roll in style and comfort – Yes please!! I dress the way I live – bold, unapologetic, and never boring! 

How do you resonate with Teejh?  

Teejh feels like home! Growing up in the US, made me feel disconnected from my roots but when I wear jhumkas or oxidized jewellery from Teejh, it’s like reclaiming a part of myself. Every piece tells a story and I am here to make sure that mine is unforgettable.