Saurav Kumar's story is not one of overcoming a disability. It is a narrative of deliberate, steady construction—a life built on his own terms. A 23-year-old graduate from the prestigious Engineering Physics department at IIT Roorkee, Saurav is also a national-level para swimmer with his sights set on the 2028 Paralympics.
Early Foundations: Homeschooling, Friendship, and Resilience
Hailing from Patna, Bihar, Saurav has lived with a lower-limb disability since early childhood, a result of neurological complications from a severe fever. For him, using calipers and crutches is simply how his body functions. His formal education began only in Class 6, after he received mobility aids. Prior to that, he was homeschooled.
Financial constraints were a constant reality in his farming family. Demonstrating remarkable practicality, Saurav worked at a mobile repair shop during Classes 8 to 10, earning Rs 100-200 daily. The shop's owner, Md Ejaj, became an unwavering pillar of support, transcending barriers of village, caste, and religion. After Class 10, when Saurav considered discontinuing his studies, it was his friend Shashi Raj Anand who intervened, bringing him to Patna and insisting they manage his education together.
Conquering JEE and Embracing IIT Roorkee
With a strong foundation built on self-study and minimal coaching, Saurav cracked the JEE Advanced in 2021, securing a PWD rank of 165. Initially drawn to Aerospace Engineering, he opted for Engineering Physics at IIT Roorkee through JoSAA counselling as it best aligned with his interests in electronics and mechanics.
Arriving alone at the campus in March 2022, Saurav embraced the challenge. While he noted the infrastructure was largely accessible, he proactively submitted proposals for improvements, especially for buildings without lifts. He declined the institute's offer of an electric wheelchair, choosing to navigate stairs to prepare for real-world environments. Today, he actively guides nearly 150 PwD students on campus, collaborating with the administration on inclusion initiatives.
Campus Life, Community, and a Calling to Swim
IIT Roorkee transformed Saurav. He immersed himself in campus life, serving in the Institute Alumni Relations Cell, winning the Institute Snooker Championship, and acting as a student member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. His friends included him seamlessly in trips across India, fostering a sense of independence and trust-based equality.
A personal tragedy struck in his third year with the loss of his mother to cancer. During this period, his friends and the institute rallied around him, a testament to the community he had built. Academically, he graduated with a CGPA of 6.2 in 2025, but gained immeasurable exposure, technical confidence, and leadership skills, earning the Professional Development and Innovation Award and Leadership Award at convocation.
A pivotal moment came in 2024 after he organized an event featuring Paralympians. Meeting para swimmer Md Shams Alam ignited a new passion. Saurav began competitive swimming in July 2024. Within a year, his meteoric rise included state-level gold medals and a 4th place finish in the 100m butterfly at the 2025 National Para Swimming Championship in Hyderabad.
Building the Future: Prosthetics, Startups, and Paralympic Gold
Today, Saurav is preparing for the World Para Swimming Championship Series in Italy in March 2026, fully sponsored by IIT Roorkee, with the 2028 Paralympics as his ultimate goal. Beyond the pool, he is channeling his engineering skills into meaningful projects.
As an end-user himself, he has designed his own prosthetic and is working on automating it for broader use. He is also co-founding a deep-tech waste management startup focused on automated segregation. His education was funded through a Rs 3.6 lakh loan, scholarships, and support from friends.
Saurav Kumar's journey—from the fields of Bihar and the halls of IIT Roorkee to national swimming podiums and innovation labs—exemplifies a powerful resolve. His goal is clear: to win gold for India at the Paralympics and build technology that creates lasting impact.
