'You set a new benchmark': Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds India's history-making Paralympics team
Narendra Modi said that he wants players to play more in Para-sports and get more medals and through them, create a cultural change in perception of specially-abled athletes. India's para-athletes also thanked the PM for his support throughout the Paris Paralympics 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met the Indian Paralympic contingent who returned from the Paris Games with the highest-ever medal haul. With a total of 29 medals, which included seven golds, nine silvers, and 14 bronzes, India finished in 18th spot in the Paris Paralympics 2024. India's medal tally in 2024 is also ten more than the previous highest the country had won, which was in 2021 in Tokyo.
CREDIT: ANI
'There is something extra present in you'
"You embraced what the country was feeling and delivered fine performances. God has given you some extra qualities. Though you might have some disabilities physically, there is something extra present in your personality. You have faced so many struggles and obstacles in your life that the effect of win and loss was not present in your game."
India's Paralympic champions have set a new benchmark with the highest-ever medal count. It was a delight to interact with them. https://t.co/yLkviuJCaI
¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2024
'More specially-abled should take up sports'
PM Modi said that he wants players to play more in Para-sports and get more medals and through them, create a cultural change in perception of specially-abled athletes.
"I want all specially-abled people to be looked at with respect rather than sympathy and be considered no less than others. The fact that you are playing and sweating it out for your goal, this hard work will not go in vain. A new atmosphere is being created. Your contribution is more than a medal, you are instilling belief in specially-abled people that they are no less," he added.
'Thank you for motivating us'
India's para-athletes also thanked the PM for his support.
"We are immensely thankful to you for your motivation before the games, and we all look forward to meeting you after them. Nobody has accepted para-sports the way you have," Paris Paralympic silver medallist Sharad Kumar said.
CREDIT: ANI
Second medal is for you: Sumit Antil
Sumit Antil, who secured his second consecutive gold medal at the Paris Para Games, told Modi that the last time they met, the PM had made him promise to win a second medal.
"I remember when I won gold in Tokyo, you made me promise that I should go for two gold medals. This second gold is for you because I was quite nervous before the Paralympics," he said.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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