Gulfam’s story is not the story of Winning the Title of Mr. India 2015 (Wheelchair), nor winning the national Championship by becoming a Para athlete, Despite the challenges and bodily Limitations, it is to live a whole life.
Gulfam was born in Bijnor Village in Uttar Pradesh, where his dad was a tailor. At a very early age of one, he was diagnosed with polio in both his legs. With an end goal to get access to the best medical amenities, his family moved and later stayed in Delhi. Bound to a wheelchair from youth, life was extremely challenging and testing at every phase of his life.
Finding Ability in Dis-ability
Gulfam is of a strong belief that,” You fall, you get up, and you learn and move on in life.” This fact has always been his mantra in life. Despite all the difficulties, he found ABILITY in his Dis-ability. As a child, he was very fascinated with the idea of going to school, getting the highest level of education, and having friends at school. Due to his disability, his parents were worried about him going to school and not being able to sustain in the school set up.
He stood firm on his decision of getting admitted into the school and for that he made it a point to sit on the school steps every day. He continued doing the same until one fine day the school principal eventually spotted him on the school steps and let him into the school. Thus, his education started at a much later age of eight. "When Gulfam was standing on his feet for the first time after his surgery, his mother's face was the sweetest moment of his life.
He had a surgery in 2013 and before that he literally crawled and faced many issues. He was quite pessimistic about the possibility of standing, and the doctors had said that he could not be able to walk in two years. He made his mission to prove the Doctors wrong and in less than 3 months he made the impossible feat possible! It was not a medical miracle, but it was the spirit of his passion and his hard work and perseverance to rise.
Education
As a child, he was very fascinated with the idea of going to school and getting the highest level of education and having friends at school. Due to his disability, his parents were worried about him going to school and not being able to sustain in the school set up. He stood firm on his decision of getting admitted into the school and for that he made it a point to sit on the school steps every day.
He continued doing the same until one fine day the school principal eventually spotted him on the school steps and let him into the school. Thus, his education started at a much later age of eight.
Gulfam was enrolled in a government school where he completed his higher secondary education and completed his computer course from ITI.
The Transformation
"When Gulfam was stands on his feet for the first time after his surgery, his mother's face was the sweetest moment of his life. He had a surgery in 2013 and before that he literally crawled and faced many issues.
Sports Enthusiasm
He later realized he had to maintain a good body and physique, for which he started working out in the gym during his early years. During his days of working out in the gym, he met a gym instructor who introduced him to the world of para-athletic sports. With his focus now inclined towards participating in sporting events, he worked really hard to achieve his dreams.
He went on to win over 28 medals in various sports categories such as Para Powerlifting, Taekwondo, Wheelchair race, etc at state and national level championships. He also assists and trains people with disabilities to perform well in various sports.
Modelling, Fitness & Motivation
Gulfam had an enthusiastic desire to pursue his career in modelling, he is a Wheelchair Model dancer and fitness and sports enthusiast. He was crowned Mr. Wheelchair India in 2015, and Rubaru Mr. India Brand Ambassador 2021, owing to his confidence and determination. He has also done more than 100 Ramp show in his illustrious modelling career.
His journey from childhood to adulthood has taught him a lot of things, he has developed a sparking confidence within himself that emanates from his aura and personality. He has been a successful motivational speaker who has presented his speeches at various events. He has given a motivational talk to 500 disabled people at the “Samarth” event which was held in Bhopal. He has even featured in the TEDx & JoshTalks events and inspired many people with his life journey, now he is inspiring the society to his Motivational Journey.
Later he got chances TV show Performance and recently He Played as Lead Role in Punjabi Song "Suufna Viah Da" by Arpita Bansal and This song crossed more than 5 million on YouTube.
With courage, comes care and compassion and Gulfam is a compassionate human being. He also frequently organizes “Scooter Awareness Rides” for the Differently abled people where everybody generally has a good day and feel special.
Journey Ahead
Till 23 years of age, Gulfam used to sit on the floor and push himself to reach anywhere. Eventually two surgeries and 45 days hospitalization later and with a lot of mental discipline, hard work and consistent exercise, he is now able to stand on his own feet and walk around with the help of crutches. Things are definitely looking up. He is already preparing for the next big event of International Para Sports.
Award & Accolades
Gulfam has won many accolades and profound fame in his field and has been conferred with the “Karamveeer Chakra” award presented to him by the U.N.
Key Achievements:
Some of Gulfam’s Awards & Achievements:
Karamveer Chakra Award 2019 by U.N.
Model at I am Special Calendar 2018.
Show Stopper at Chennai Fashion Week 2017.
The Legend Award of India 2018.
Gem of Nation Award 2018.
Humanity Achievers Award 2018.
Pride of Delhi 2018.
Vandey Mataram Motivational Award 2018.
Meri Delhi Arpita Shine Award 2018.
Award of Achievement 2018.
Asian Achievers Award 2019.
Loqman Motivation Award 2019.
Pride of Delhi Motivation Ambassador Award 2019.
Bhartiya Gaurav Award 2020.
Sports Achievements:
3rd position in 10th Senior and 5th Junior National Paralympic power lifting championship - 2008 at Nagpur.
4th POSITION HANDICAPPED WELFARE FEDERATION -2008 at Delhi TRYCYCLE RACE DAYAL SINGH COLLEGE DELHI.
3rd in DELHI STATE PARALYMPIC ATHLETICS, POWERLIFTING & T.T. GAMES.
Silver Medal in 5th PARA NATIONAL GAMES -2010, POWER LIFTING CHEMPIONSHIP BANGLORE-2010 at Bangalore.
Silver Medal in 11th SENIOR & JUNIOR NATIONAL PARA POWERLIFTING CHEMPIONSHIP 2011.
Silver Medal in 4th DELHI STATE PARALYMPIC MEET - 2011 POWER LIFTING DPS R K PURAM DELHI.
Silver Medal in HANDICAPPED WELFARE FEDERATION – 2011 CHESS.
Gold Medal in 5th DELHI STATE PARALYMPIC MEET – 2012 POWER LIFTING R K PURAM DELHI.
Bronze Medal in SPECIAL OLYMPIC BHARAT, DISTRICT GAMES -2012.
Gold Medal in SPECIAL OLYMPIC BHARAT, STATE GAMES- 2012 SHOTPUT.
1st DELHI STATE PARA TAEKWONDO CHEMPIONSHIP - 2014 TAEKWONDO POOMSAE NANGLOI DELHI Silver Medal.
1st NATIONAL PARA TAEKWONDO CHEMPIONSHIP – 2014 TAEKWONDO POOMSAE TALKATORA STADIUM DELHI Gold Medal.
JUNOON 2015 SHOTPUT BITS PILANI Haryana Gold Medal.
DELHI NCR SPORTS MEET FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES-2015 TELE GAMES DELHI Bronze Medal.
DELHI NCR SPORTS MEET FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES-2015 SPOON RACE ON WHEELCHAIR DELHI Gold Medal.
2nd DELHI STATE PARA TAEKWONDO CHEMPIONSHIP - 2015 TAEKWONDO POOMSAE TALKATORA STEDIUM DELHI Gold Medal.
8th DELHI STATE PARA ATHLETICS MEET MEN & WOMEN 2015-2016 SHOTPUT JLN STADIUM DELHI Silver Medal.
9th DELHI STATE PARA ATHLETICS & POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 AT THYAGRAJ STADIUM POWER LIFTING THYAGRAJ STADIUM Delhi Silver Medal.
3rd Delhi state Para taekwondo championship 2016/-2017 TAEKWONDO POOMSAE Gold Medal.
4th PARA NATIONAL TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIP 2016-2017 TAEKWONDO POOMSAE Gold Medal.
5th Para taekwondo Delhi state championship- 2017 TAEKWONDO POOMSAE Gold Medal.
5th Para Taekwondo National Championship – 2017 TAEKWONDO POOMSAE Himanchal Pradesh Gold Medal.
10th Delhi State Paralympics athletics, powerlifting, & Table Tennis Championship 2018 Power Lifting Delhi Gold Medal.
10th Delhi State Paralympics athletics, powerlifting, & Table Tennis Championship 2018 Athletics Wheelchair Race Delhi Gold Medal.
18th National Para Athletic Championship 2018 Wheelchair Race Panchkula Haryana Bronze Medal.
5th Delhi State Para Powerlifting Championship 2021 Power Lifting Delhi Gold Medal.
18th National Para Power Lifting Championship 2021 Power Lifting Bangalore Bronze.