Meenal Chandra Acharya

Meenal Chandra Acharya, 33, hails from Pune, and her heritage traces back to her Malayali parents, who relocated to Pune after their marriage. Her father is originally from Kottayam but was raised in Mumbai, while her mother, a housewife, was brought up in Kerala. Meenal's father worked as an accountant in Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain, where Meenal completed her schooling and graduation, opting for a degree in Commerce with a focus on Multimedia.

Despite being born with Congenital Dorso Lumbar Kyphoscoliosis, which has resulted in a permanent 75% locomotor disability, Meenal faced significant challenges throughout her school life. These difficulties were both physical and psychological, often leaving her isolated and cornered by her peers. Her fear of socializing and her physical limitations made it hard for her to form deep friendships, although she managed to gain the attention and curiosity of others due to her exceptional talent in painting and drawing. A few kind-hearted friends accepted her for who she was, but these relationships were rare.

Meenal's childhood was further complicated by multiple health issues, particularly gastrointestinal problems, and her parents' mindset was not very progressive or open-minded regarding her condition. She grew up harboring resentment, even questioning the "superpower" for making her the way she was. During her school years, she distanced herself from classmates, especially boys, due to fear of rejection, which she later regretted. Time, however, taught her valuable lessons and instilled in her a strong sense of self-respect. She adopted a rebellious attitude, choosing not to be affected by what others said or thought, which led to her new identity as someone who enjoyed embracing her independence.

Art, however, remained her passion. Painting became her refuge, something that reminded her that she was far from worthless. Although art hasn’t provided her with significant monetary benefits, Meenal has continued to pursue it. She has knocked on many doors of institutions and people who claim to support emerging artists, but her efforts have been met with skepticism due to her lack of formal education in arts and literature. This led her to stop seeking validation from others and instead, she focused on gaining exposure by joining a group for people with brittle bone conditions, despite not having that issue herself. Through this group, she was introduced to a charitable art group, Swapnachitra, in Kerala, which led her to the Art for Inclusion group in Bangalore.

Although Meenal has never performed as a performing artist due to her physical limitations, she prefers to focus her full attention and dedication on her work with a canvas. She declined an offer for a photoshoot segment that asked her to complete a picture outdoors in just two days, as she felt it would disregard her physical challenges. Meenal's journey in art has included numerous accolades from her school days, including awards in academic and painting competitions. A local newspaper used to publish her artwork weekly, though she had to discontinue it under her parents' insistence, as balancing her academic work and external commitments became overwhelming. During her BCom studies, she began to commercialize her artwork, with the support of her teachers, and some of her pieces were sold through their connections.

In 2016, after her father’s retirement, Meenal and her family settled in Pune, where she pursued a diploma in 3D modeling and editing. She worked as a freelance 3D artist for six months but faced exploitation and underpayment, leading her to pursue a Master's degree in Commerce from Manipal University Jaipur. She attended her convocation ceremony in December 2024, overcoming the fears and insecurities that had once held her back.

Throughout her school years, Meenal faced numerous challenges, including the physical difficulties of moving around the school, where teachers and kind classmates often protected her from falling or getting hurt. She would leave class 15 minutes before the final bell to avoid the risk of being trampled on the crowded corridors. Additionally, she faced challenges with her transportation, where the private transport service was unreliable, and the driver would delay the arrival, making her wait for long periods under the hot sun.

In recent years, Meenal has also noticed signs of learning disabilities linked to her genetic disorder, which became evident during her Master's project. She discovered that she struggled with concentration and memory retention while studying, often needing to write and rewrite textbooks to prepare for exams. This realization sparked an interest in self-exploration regarding her medical condition, but she feels unprepared to face the harsh truths that might emerge from a deeper understanding.

Today, Meenal creates vlogs and reels on her social media platforms, sharing content related to photo and video editing. She also enjoys content writing, reviewing books and movies, and delving into the depth of characters, often resonating with real-life people. In a major milestone, Meenal was invited to speak as a motivational speaker by Mrs. Archana Ravindran for an online conference held by the IOIF