Sita’s passion and determination propel her to success

Kathmandu, Feb. 3: Sita Subedi, crowned as Ms. Nepal International 2023, stands as an epitome of inspiration. A one-legged classical dancer and a gold medalist in 2018, she is not only a symbol of talent but also proof of resilience. Having triumphed over cancer, Subedi has become an inspiration to people believing in their dreams despite battling physical disability. 

An energetic, bobbly girl possessing strong willpower, Sita passionately dreamt of becoming a dancer from a young age. However, fate subjected her to a formidable trial when she was just 12 years old, she lost one of her 

legs to cancer.

Born in 1985 to father Balkrishna Subedi and mother Saraswoti Subedi in Meghauli, Chitwan, she was fond of cycling. During a Dashain festival, she cycled carrying her siblings, which caused pressure on her legs. When her leg started swelling, her parents took her to Bharatpur Cancer Hospital. Initially, they thought it was normal swelling and would be 

cured after medication. 

Subedi’s world turned upside down after she saw the report. The doctor said that she had Osteosarcoma, a kind of bone cancer, and to save her life, one of her legs should be amputated.

 She initially denied it, but her uncle said, " If you live, you will see the world,” which deeply impacted her. With the belief in seeing the beautiful world, she allowed her leg to be amputated. When asked about her mental state during her cancer treatment, she said that entering her teenage years meant dealing with a high dose of cancer medication. Because of this, she didn’t experience the typical hormonal changes while she shifted from childhood to adolescence.

 She said that chemotherapy and high doses of medication led to her getting her period at the age of 19, and her periods were irregular.

“I missed the transition from childhood to teenage years.”

During her medication, she continued her studies and successfully passed SLC exam. After SLC, she came to Bharatpur to continue her studies and started her 10+2 education at Birendra 

Multiple Campus. She lived alone in Bharatpur and, for financial support, she sewed clothes using one leg.

Initially, her family was not happy with their daughter’s enthusiasm for dancing. The prevailing societal belief deterred an amputee like her from believing in her dreams.

She did not receive much encouragement from her family to pursue 

her interests.

When she realised that staying at home would hinder her studies and pursuit of her dream, she decided to shift and started living in Bharatpur.

While attending college, she enrolled in Narayani Kala Mandir Bharatpur, where she pursued her passion for dance. However, her initial experience was disheartening as a dance instructor tried to demoralise her, saying that individuals with two legs weren’t accomplishing much through dance, and what could she achieve with 

only one leg?

This comment deeply wounded her. Then, she decided to explore music and received training from Kishor Tiwari.

Following her completion of 10+2, she moved to Kathmandu and enrolled at Padma Kanya Multiple Campus. Despite her initial desire to pursue studies in dance and music, she was not allowed to pursue these subjects.

As soon as she relocated to Kathmandu, she called her siblings, shouldering the responsibilities of supporting them.

Bearing the weight of these additional responsibilities, she started working in travel agencies. Unfortunately, juggling work and education took a toll on her academic performance, leading to weak results. 

She dropped out of college. After a 10-year gap and witnessing Sita’s passion for dance and study, her brother told her to resume her studies, and he would support her. 

She joined Padma Kanya Campus for a Bachelor’s in music and Nepali as well as Kalanidhi Indira Sangeet Mahavidyalaya for classical dance. She studied music in the morning at PK Campus and dance in the evening.

 In 2018, she earned a gold medal in classical dance. She continued her academic journey by pursuing a master’s degree in Nepali and music.

She wanted to elevate her beauty and intelligence, fueled by a dream of walking the runway and participating in beauty pageants. But, when she approached the beauty pageant organisers, she faced humiliation and the organisers doubted the beauty of a woman with a prosthetic leg.

 Despite encountering humiliation and rejection, she cultivated a resilient self-esteem. In 2022, she confidently swaggered down the fashion runway, donning 6-inch heels.

She requested the organisers of Mrs. Nepal, and they allowed her to participate in the competition. With dedication, hard work, and confidence, she won the MS. Nepal International’ and the ‘Management Choice Award’ in the same competition. 

She is now preparing to participate in the ‘Ms. International World’, which will be held in Singapore in March. 

She plans to promote tourism and an inclusive voice, showcasing Nepali culture in the international pageant, including Nepali classical dance. 

She would be the first differently-abled South Asian woman to participate in an international beauty pageant.