Anand Mahindra says whenever he will feel low in life he will look up to Odisha's Payal Nag for inspiration. She lost her four limbs at age 8, yet became archery champion

In a world that often celebrates privilege and easy success, stories like Payal Nag’s cut through the noise with raw, undeniable power. From a life-altering tragedy at the age of eight to standing tall on an international stage, her journey is not just inspiring—it’s deeply humbling. When Anand Mahindra shared her story, it wasn’t just another social media post. It was a reminder of what true courage looks like, and why resilience often comes from the most unexpected places.

Anand Mahindra recently took to X to spotlight the extraordinary journey of Payal Nag, a young para archer from Odisha whose life story has struck a chord across the internet. Born to a daily-wage mason, Payal’s early years were marked by hardship. At just eight years old, she suffered a devastating accident after being electrocuted, losing all four of her limbs. What could have ended her story instead became the beginning of something remarkable.

In the years that followed, Payal discovered archery—a sport that would go on to redefine her life. Her journey into the sport was anything but conventional. She was first noticed not on a training ground, but through her paintings. It was here that coach Kuldeep Vedwan saw potential in her, the same coach known for mentoring world champion Sheetal Devi. Recognising her determination and spirit, he helped guide her into the world of para archery.




What followed was a story of relentless perseverance. Payal trained, adapted, and pushed her limits in ways that few can imagine. Over time, she rose through the ranks, building both skill and confidence. Her defining moment came in April 2026 at the World Para Archery Series Final in Bangkok, where she faced none other than her idol, Sheetal Devi. In a remarkable turn of events, Payal emerged victorious, marking a milestone that symbolised both personal triumph and sporting excellence.

Mahindra, reflecting on her journey, described how stories like Payal’s and Sheetal’s serve as powerful reminders of courage, resilience, and positive thinking. He shared that whenever he feels low or discouraged, he looks at their journeys to ground himself and regain perspective. For him, these athletes go far beyond being a source of motivation limited to a single day—they represent a daily reminder of what the human spirit is capable of achieving against all odds.

About Payal Nag

Payal Nag, the daughter of a daily-wage mason from Odisha, marked a stunning arrival on the global stage by defeating Sheetal Devi to clinch gold on her senior international debut at the inaugural World Archery Para Series. The world’s first limbless archer, Payal’s achievement is about grit. Her coach Kuldeep Vedwan played a crucial role in this journey, customising a special bow that she could operate using prosthetic legs, including a specially designed steel device on her right prosthetic to help lift the bow, along with a chest release mechanism similar to Sheetal’s.

Since she cannot load arrows herself, she relies on assistance for that step. Vedwan revealed to PTI that it took him three months to fine-tune her to the equipment. Having begun training only in 2023, Payal has, within just three years, risen to compete against the best in the world—and is already winning.