Born without arms, 23-year-old Bikram Bhattarai from Sama Lingdum village in East Sikkim has built a life around art, education and independence, using his feet to paint, write, operate technology and manage everyday tasks. With sustained support from his family, teachers and classmates, Bikram completed his schooling and scored 72% in his CBSE Class 10 board examinations in 2019, writing with his feet.
His abilities have earned national and state-level recognition, including the National Child Award and his appointment as the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) State Icon by Sikkim’s Election Department.
Today, he is preparing for the Sikkim Civil Services Examination, hoping to serve his community. His journey also highlights how family support, accessible education and opportunities can shape what people are able to achieve.
Childhood Shaped By Support
Bikram grew up in a remote village in East Sikkim, where his family played an important role in helping him become independent. His sister, Anjali, taught him how to sketch and paint using his feet, helping him discover an ability that would later become a defining part of his life. His parents, Narpati and Januka Bhattarai, encouraged his education and ambitions.
When Bikram was young, his father carried him to school. Teachers and classmates also supported him in navigating school life, including helping arrange a special chair for his comfort. Rather than being kept away from regular activities, Bikram gradually learnt to adapt to them using his feet.
That support became particularly important as he grew older. Writing, drawing and completing other tasks required patience and practice, but Bikram continued developing ways to do them independently.
Turning Feet Into Tools
Art became one of the most visible expressions of Bikram’s independence. He learnt to hold and control brushes and writing instruments with his feet, eventually developing the ability to create paintings and complete written work.
His determination was also reflected in his academic journey. In 2019, he appeared for his CBSE Class 10 board examinations and scored 72%, writing his papers with his feet. He later pursued a History Honours degree from Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College in Sikkim.
His abilities extend beyond painting and writing. Bikram uses his feet to operate computers and smartphones and perform several everyday tasks. His story demonstrates that accessibility is not only about physical infrastructure; it can also involve creating the conditions in which people can find practical ways to participate independently.
Recognition Beyond His Artwork
Bikram’s abilities have brought him recognition at both the national and state levels. He received the National Child Award for his talents, recognising his achievements at a young age.
He was later selected as the PwD State Icon by Sikkim’s Election Department. The role placed him among public figures used to encourage participation in the electoral process, particularly among persons with disabilities.
The recognition has given greater visibility to his journey, but Bikram’s ambitions extend beyond public recognition. He is currently working towards clearing the Sikkim Civil Services Examination, with the aim of entering public service and contributing to his community.
His journey from a village in East Sikkim to a recognised artist and public figure also raises a wider question about how societies create opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Beyond Disability Stereotypes
Stories about disability are often framed only around physical limitations or extraordinary achievement. Bikram’s experience offers a broader perspective. His accomplishments have involved not just individual determination, but also years of support from his family, teachers and wider community.
His experience also shows why inclusive education and accessibility matter. A student’s ability to participate in school can depend on practical support, understanding from teachers and classmates, and the freedom to find alternative ways of completing tasks.
For Bikram, those opportunities helped him move from learning to write and paint with his feet to pursuing higher education, using technology and preparing for a career in public service.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Bikram’s story is ultimately about more than what one person can accomplish without arms. It is also about what becomes possible when people are given the support and opportunity to develop their abilities. His journey underscores the need to look beyond assumptions about disability and focus on accessibility, dignity and equal participation.
His own message captures this outlook: “If I can do it with my feet, you can surely do it with your hands.”
For a more inclusive society, the challenge is not simply to celebrate individuals who overcome barriers, but to reduce those barriers in the first place. From schools and workplaces to public institutions and technology, greater accessibility can help ensure that disability does not determine the opportunities available to a person. What more can communities and institutions do to make equal participation a reality for persons with disabilities?
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