"Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do," goes a quote by African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.

Shalini Devi Ganesan is a living testament to that.

Despite having her muscles weakened and being wheelchair-bound due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2, the gutsy 22-year-old from Bagan Serai, Perak, is cooking up a storm, quite literally, on Youtube, with her "Shalini Views" channel.

In the cooking channel started two months ago, Shalini shares the recipes of some favourite Malaysian dishes, such as ayam kicap manis, kangkung belacan, crispy fried mushrooms, and ikan siakap sweet and sour, and even cooks the dishes with the help of a family member.

The channel has over 3,300 subscribers to date.

Shalini's talents were first highlighted by Filipino Youtuber Urika Angeresu on her Youtube channel Ma'am Urika, earlier this month.

In the interview, Shalini tells Urika that she started the YouTube channel because she wanted to do something useful, as she had been rendered unable to work or study due to her condition.

Everyone is gifted with their own talents and should not let it go to waste, she adds.

"Some can sing, some can dance, everybody have talents, and they can do anything. Don't lose hope, believe in yourself, and believe in God, you just have to put some effort," she said, adding that the YouTube channel was started with the support and encouragement of her family.

"Life is something beautiful that God has given us," the gutsy youth concludes.

Shalini's story has also been highlighted by the journalist2jabber blog, run by former journalist Elvina Fernandez.

Shalini is such an inspiration indeed! When able-bodied youth are complaining about what life has not given them, she has chosen to concentrate to look at what life has offered her, and has decided to share it with others.

Best wishes for her to continue growing her fan base with what she does best.

You can follow her cooking channel Shalini Views here!



Photo source: YouTube, Shalini Devi Ganesan Facebook.