Historic Meeting with Paralympians: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a special meeting with India’s exceptional Paralympians to commend their historic achievement at the Paris Paralympics 2024. During the gathering at his residence, Modi congratulated the athletes for their unprecedented haul of 29 medals. The interaction, captured in a 43-second video shared by the sports ministry, featured a heartfelt exchange with the medal winners, including prominent figures like Avani Lekhara and visually-impaired judoka Kapil Parmar.

Heartwarming Moments and Interactions: The meeting was marked by memorable moments, including a touching exchange between PM Modi and javelin thrower Navdeep Singh. Modi’s gesture of allowing Navdeep to place a cap on his head exemplified the personal connection and respect shared during the event. The Prime Minister also inquired about Navdeep’s intense reactions post-throw, to which Navdeep responded with pride about his victory after a previous near-miss.

Unprecedented Achievement: India’s performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024 was nothing short of extraordinary, with the country setting a new record by securing 29 medals. This achievement included seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals, surpassing the previous record of 19 medals from the Tokyo Games. The contingent’s success featured remarkable milestones, such as medals in track events and a historic gold in archery by Harvinder Singh.

Recognition and Rewards: In recognition of their outstanding achievements, the Indian government has honored the Paralympians with significant financial rewards. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced monetary awards of Rs 75 lakh for gold medallists, Rs 50 lakh for silver winners, and Rs 30 lakh for bronze medallists. Athletes participating in mixed events also received commendable rewards, reflecting the nation’s appreciation for their dedication and success.