PM Modi meets Paralympic medallists, lauds effort and dedication for winning 29 medals

PM Modi meets Paralympic medallists. (PTI Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted India’s pioneering Paralympians at his residence to commend them for their remarkable achievement of winning 29 medals at the recently concluded Paris Games.

A 43-second video released by the sports ministry shows the PM congratulating the medal winners before engaging in a discussion with them.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Devendra Jhajharia, the head of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), were also present during this meeting.

Wheelchair-bound shooter Avani Lekhara, who won a second successive Paralympic gold in women's 10m air rifle (SH1) and visually-impaired judoka Kapil Parmar, India's first Paralympic medal-winner in the sport, were among those who were seen posing with the PM.

Parmar could be seen getting his medal signed by Modi.

India gave its best-ever performance in the Paralympic Games by winning 29 medals, including an unprecedented seven gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals.

The 84-strong contingent surpassed the previous best of 19 medals that was achieved in the Tokyo Games three years ago.

The stupendous performance included many firsts such as medals in track events of athletics, and a gold in archery (through Harvinder Singh).

Since returning to the country, the Paralympians have been feted by the government with sports minister Mandaviya handing out Rs 75 lakh to the gold-medallists, Rs 50 lakh to the silver winners and Rs 30 lakh to the athletes who bagged bronze in the Games.

Those excelling in mixed teams events, like armless archer Sheetal Devi, who won a bronze along with Rakesh Kumar, got richer by Rs 22.5 lakh.

(With Agency Inputs)