“Your contribution is more than medals”: PM Modi lauds Indian Paralympics contingent
News Mania Desk/ Sohom Chatterjee / 13th September 2024
The Indian Paralympics contingent landed in India from Paris on Tuesday after record-breaking performances in various events. In total, India won a record-breaking 29 medals which included seven golds, nine silvers and 13 bronze medals, surpassing the previous record of 19 medals in a single Paralympics that was created in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
On Thursday, PM Modi held a meeting with the contingent, the same as he did for the ICC Men’s T20WC-winning contingent and Paris Olympics contingent in recent times at his residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.
The Prime Minister congratulated the players and had an interactive session with them as Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia were also present during the meeting. He mentioned that the contributions made by these para-athletes are much more than the accolades as they are helping produce self-belief among specially-abled people that they are no less than others.
Modi said during this interaction, “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.” He added, “I want that all specially-abled people are looked to with respect rather than sympathy and are considered no less than others. The fact that you are playing and sweating it out for your girl, this hard work would not go in vain. A new atmosphere is being made. Your contribution is more than a medal, you are producing belief in specially-abled people that they are no less.”
The PM also commented on the coaches by saying, “Before teaching the specially-abled, the coaches need to mentally prepare themselves to live that life. They need to keep themselves in the position of the para-athletes and understand their problems. Those who train para-athletes are extraordinary. The abled only need to be taught techniques, but the specially-abled need to be taught a way of life as well.”
PM Modi interacted with the Paralympians who represented India in the recently concluded para multi-sport event. During the meet, Paralympic gold medallist Avani Lekhara gifted PM Modi a signed Indian jersey.
