The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paralympic Games going to be held in Paris, France. Shri Modi kick-started the interaction with Archer Sheetal Devi, the Indian contingent’s youngest athlete, asking what is going in her mind as it is her first time participating in paralympic games. The 17-year-old told the Prime Minister that she is excited to represent India at an international platform at such a young age. She further thanked the Shrine Board and everyone around her, saying that the institution supported her through thick and thin to help her achieve this feat. Shri Modi asked Devi about the status of her training, to which the teenager replied that it has been going great and it is her aim that India’s national flag is hoisted and the national anthem is played in Paris after her win. Congratulating Devi, the Prime Minister advised the para-archer to perform without any pressure of winning or losing the game and focus on giving her best performance. 

While interacting with Shooter Avani Lekhara, the Prime Minister praised the athlete for winning a Gold and Bronze medal in the Tokyo Paralympics and asked her what is her target this time. The Rajasthan-based athlete said she was focused towards gaining experience at her last paralympic games as it was her first stint at the international event. The 22-year-old said she has learnt a lot about the sport as well as its technique in the paralympic cycle and is aiming to give her best performance this time. She thanked the Prime Minister for his support, saying that it invokes a sense of responsibility and motivates her to enhance her performance further. Shri Modi inquired Lekhara about how her life changed after the Tokyo Paralympics and how she continued to prepare herself for future competitions. The para-shooter replied that before participating in the 2020 Olympics, there was a barrier which broke down after her win, instilling her with hope and confidence that if she can win once, she can repeat her victory with hard work. Shri Modi congratulated Lekhara and said that the country has a lot of expectations from her, but she should not let them burden her, instead, the athlete should turn them into power. 

Praising his performance in the Tokyo Olympics, the Prime Minister asked Mariyappan Thangavelu, a high jumper, if he was planning to turn his last silver medal into gold this time. Shri Modi further asked the 29-year-old about his learnings from the last paralympic games. The athlete informed Shri Modi that he is currently training in Germany and is committed to winning gold this time. The Prime Minister underlined that the number of para-athletes has increased since 2016. He asked Thangavelu about his take on the matter from the point of view of an athlete and coach. The para-athlete stated that a lot of people are now inspired to choose sports as a career. Shri Modi assured the Tamil Nadu-based high jumper that his government is determined to ensure that Indian athletes do not have to face any kind of shortage. 

Hailing his performance in the Tokyo Paralympics and Asian Para Games, the Prime Minister said that athlete Sumit Antil, a javelin thrower, broke record after record by winning gold medals at both events. He asked the 26-year-old how he stays motivated and continues to break his own records at every championship. Antil mentioned Devendra Jhajharia and Neeraj Chopra as his sources of inspiration while also underlining the importance of self-discipline and self-motivation in helping him create new records. Referring to the contribution of Haryana in India’s sports culture, Shri Modi said there is something special about Sonipath as it produces numerous record-breaking sports persons. He further asked Antil about the role of Haryana sports culture in his victory. Sumit thanked both the state and the centre for assisting him in his journey. Congratulating Antil, Shri Modi hailed him as an inspiration for all and wished him luck for his performance in France. 

Interacting with para-athlete Aruna Tanwar, the Prime Minister asked her about her journey and the role of her father’s support throughout that. To which, the 24-year-old taekwondoin replied, “no one can win a normal tournament without family’s support, and I am going to compete at paralympics for the second time. It is often considered that Divyangs cannot do anything, but my parents have instilled a sense of confidence me and I believe that I can do a lot of things.” Shri Modi asked Tanwar about her injury at the last paralympics just a few moments before an important game and how she stayed motivated and overcame that obstacle. The athlete replied that an injury cannot stop my game because my aim is bigger than that. Calling injury a jewel in sports, Tanwar said she kept herself strong and thanked her coach and parents who told her that one paralympic cannot decide her fate, there are many more games to come. Calling her a fighter and an inspiration to women, Shri Modi appreciated Tanwar’s positive outlook and wished her the best for the Paris Paralympics.

The Prime Minister then encouraged those who had not spoken yet to share their thoughts and feelings on representing the country at an international event like paralympics for the first time. Responding to Shri Modi, Haryana-based Para Powerlifter Ashok Malik said that it is the dream of every sports person to represent their country at a global level. The Prime Minister now turned to those who have competed twice or thrice at paralympics to share their experience and learnings from their first game. Para-athlete Amit Saroha stated that since his first time at paralympics in 2012, their medal tally and team’s performance have grown bigger. Mentioning that a total of 84 athletes are going to perform in Paris this time, he thanked the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for its continued support and assistance. Saroha pointed out that the financial support that they used to receive has increased manifolds. He further praised the setting up of TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) which has enabled them to receive training anywhere in the world. Saroha said that even the needs of their personal coaches, physios and supporting staff are now being fulfilled, adding that they are hopeful to win more medals this time. 

The Prime Minister curiously asked para-athletes who are still studying in schools and colleges how they balance sports and studies together. Sharing his experience, Rajasthan’s Bharatpur-based Rudransh Khandelwal said that he managed both, a world cup tournament in Delhi and his 12th board exams, in which he scored 83 percent, this time. He said both sports and studies play an important role in life as one builds character and the other educates one about their rights and it is not very difficult to manage both simultaneously. 

Seeking feedback on the Khelo India Para Games, the Prime Minister said that the event was organised in December, last year, at the suggestion of several athletes. “How does such events support the sports ecosystem,” Shri Modi asked. Table Tennis player Bhavina Patel from Gujarat replied, “The Khelo India campaign has brought several grassroot talents to the forefront. It has provided para-athletes with a good platform, giving them a sense of direction. One of the best examples of this campaign has been that this time 16 para-athletes from Khelo India have qualified for the Paris Paralympic Games.” 

The Prime Minister further inquired para-athletes that how do they cope with injuries during paralympics. Para-badminton player from TOPS Tarun Dhillon apprised Shri Modi about an injury he suffered during the Canada International Tournament in 2022. The 30-year-old player credited SAI officials and the team for his speedy recovery in just seven months and won a gold medal in the next month. He informed the Prime Minister that he was brought back to India in a business class, where the best of doctors tended to his injury and supported me by ensuring that I was physically and mentally fit to perform. He further said that it is only because of a scheme like TOPS that children from the middle class can achieve their goals even after suffering from severe injuries. 

The Prime Minister asked the para-athletes for their suggestions on how social media can help para-sports. Para-athlete Yogesh Kathuniya, who specialises in discus throw, told Shri Modi that social media has helped in spreading awareness about the para-games. Earlier, Divyangs used to think that they only have one option in life and that is studies, but now there is an increase in the number of para-athletes in the country. “Today, the players at grassroot level watch our videos and feel motivated. They also learn about exercises to add in their daily routine. So, overall there has been a great impact and greater visibility,” he added. 

Addressing the event and extending greetings to Union Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya ji, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse ji. Paralympic athletes, coaches and staff present in every corner of the world. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held that the country is currently at the stage of remote coaching through video-conference. Referring to the para-athletes going to compete at the Paris Paralympics, Shri Modi hailed them as the pride and flag-bearers of India, adding that this journey is not only going to be extremely important for their lives and careers, but it holds an equally important place for the country as well. “The pride of India is linked to your presence in Paris and the blessings of 140 crore countrymen are with you, Vijay Bhav!” he added. Shri Modi further said that the enthusiasm of para-athletes is testimony to their eagerness to create new records at the Paris Paralympics, akin to the Tokyo Paralympics and Asian Para-Game. 

Hailing the amount of courage, dedication and sacrifice that a sports person possesses as their foundation, the Prime Minister said the players move forward with the power of discipline with their success being a testimony to their self-confidence and self-control. However, when it comes to para-athletes, this truth and the very challenges become bigger. Praising the spirit of para-athletes, Shri Modi said their journey up until here tells how strong they are from within. They have defeated established beliefs of the society and challenges of the body, making them the ultimate mantras (chants) of success. “You are the example and proof of success and no one can defeat you once you enter the field,” he added. 

Underlining the growing dominance of India in the Para Games over the years, the Prime Minister recalled that India had won only one medal with zero gold in the 2012 London Paralympics. In 2016, India won 2 gold medals and a total of 4 medals in Rio, Brazil. Bharat won a total of 19 medals with 5 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze in Tokyo Paralympics. Of the 31 medals that India has won in the history of paralympics, 19 were clinched in Tokyo alone. “Many of you were part of that contingent and had also won medals,” Shri Modi said, adding that one can imagine how far India has come in sports and para games in the last 10 years. 

Emphasising people’s changing perception about sports, the Prime Minister said that Bharat’s achievements in sports are a reflection of the society’s changing attitude towards sports. There was a time when sports was considered a leisure activity. It was not seen as a promising career, but rather a hindrance in the career with negligible opportunities. “Our disabled brothers and sisters were considered weak. However, all of this has changed now. We changed this thought and created more opportunities for them. Today, para-sports get the same authority as any other sport,” Shri Modi said. The Prime Minister said that the Khelo India Para Games has been started in the country along with the establishment of a para sports training centre in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh to help para-athletes. “Our para-athletes are getting the benefits of facilities under TOPS and Khelo India programs. I am happy that in this contingent, 50 athletes are associated with TOPS schemes and 16 from Khelo India,” he added.

Reiterating the importance of the 2024 Paris Paralympics, the Prime Minister said this event is special for India in several other ways. “Our slots have increased in many games, so has our participation.” Shri Modi expressed confidence that the Paris Paralympics will prove to be a big milestone in India’s golden journey. Wishing them good luck, the Prime Minister further said that he will meet the athletes once again after they have returned from France. 

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