India’s Paris Paralympics medallists were felicitated on Tuesday with cash awards from the Sports Ministry, recognizing the athletes’ historic performances. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented Rs 75 lakh to each gold medallist, Rs 50 lakh to silver medallists, and Rs 30 lakh to bronze winners during a ceremony honoring the country’s best-ever Paralympic campaign.
Mixed team event athletes, like armless archer Sheetal Devi, who won bronze with Rakesh Kumar, were awarded Rs 22.5 lakh. The event, organized to celebrate the achievements of India’s Paralympians, saw para-athletes being commended for their outstanding performances, which included 29 medals—seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze—at the Paris Paralympics.
Minister Mandaviya praised the athletes for their resilience and pledged full government support as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. “The country is rising in Paralympics and para sports. From 4 medals in 2016, India won 19 medals in Tokyo and now 29 in Paris,” said Mandaviya. “We will provide all necessary facilities so that we can win even more medals, especially gold, in Los Angeles 2028.”
Addressing the athletes, Mandaviya urged them to continue their efforts. “You have brought laurels to the country by overcoming life’s challenges. But the journey doesn’t end here. Our focus should now be on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics and beyond, with the hope of delivering our best performance when India potentially hosts the Olympics and Paralympics in 2036.”
India’s Paralympic Committee President, Devendra Jhajharia, attributed the country’s rise as a Paralympic powerhouse to the collective efforts of players, coaches, and other stakeholders.
Gold medallists, including javelin throwers Sumit Antil and Navdeep Singh, vowed to defend their titles in LA 2028. Other top performers, such as high jumper Praveen Kumar, club thrower Dharambir Nain, and archer Harvinder Singh, were also among those who received their cash awards.
Notably, athletes from other sports like shooting and badminton had already been felicitated after their return from Paris, including gold medallist Avani Lekhara and shuttler Nitesh Kumar, who were absent from the event.
India’s remarkable 18th place finish at the Paris Paralympics marked a new chapter in the nation’s sports history, with hopes high for further success in upcoming global competitions.
