Prime Minister: Today, I want to listen to you. What were your experiences? You must have met many people there; surely some positive things must have happened. I would love to hear about them.

Kapil Parmar: Namaskar, Sir. Har-Har Mahadev.

Prime Minister: Har-Har Mahadev.

Kapil Parmar: Sir, I am Kapil Parmar, and I compete in Blind Judo in the 60kg category. Since 2021, I’ve participated in many competitions—16 in total. Out of these, I have won medals in 14, including eight golds. I also earned a silver at the Brown Silver Asian Games, a bronze at the World Games, and another bronze at the World Championship. Because of this experience, my fear disappeared, and I wasn’t too worried about the Olympics, as I had already played in numerous competitions. However, I did feel a bit of pressure. But Devendra Bhai Sahab Jhajharia Ji advised me to focus on giving my best, and he told me to replicate what I do during practice.

Sir, my coach, Manoranjar Ji, has also blessed me tremendously. It’s not just difficult but almost impossible to manage us. We often bump into things, and if someone bumps into me, I ask them whether they are blind or if I am! Sir, such incidents happen frequently. I often hold my coach's hand to walk, and with the limited vision I have, I manage to do my work. Sir, your blessings have always been with me.

Prime Minister: Well, Kapil, you mentioned that the noise from the stadium that day was so overwhelming that you couldn’t hear your coach’s instructions. I want to experience that myself. Where is your coach? Sir, please explain the challenge!

Coach: In blind judo, the most important thing is the instructions we give from outside, which we code into their training. We instruct them beforehand on what to do when we say certain things because they can’t see anything on the mat. On that day, there were two mat areas. Our match was on one mat, while France’s match was on the other. The crowd was so loud during the French fight—there were about 15,000 to 18,000 spectators. So, when Kapil went to play the semi-finals, he couldn’t hear my instructions due to the noise. Additionally, there was the pressure of the semi-finals, and Kapil had lost to the Iranian player in the Asian Games semi-finals. Naturally, there was pressure from that as well. Unfortunately, because of these factors, we were unable to win the gold medal for India that day.

Prime Minister: So the opposing coach would also be guiding his players in the same way?

Coach: Yes, but that varies from coach to coach. Our relationship with our players is such that we observe how each coach teaches, so we develop our own strategies based on that.

Prime Minister: So, the coach must keep his instructions a secret from the others as well.

Coach: Absolutely. If we use the same language as the opposing coach, our player won't understand the difference.

Prime Minister: If you wanted to instruct Kapil to attack from the left, how would you communicate that?

Coach: That’s exactly how we direct, Sir.

Prime Minister: Kapil, this is how it works, right?

Kapil Parmar: Sir, I often say I’m going to strike, but when I do attack, sometimes the move doesn’t land, and I step back.

Coach: We use specific names for the techniques. The position of the feet, whether forward or backward, is part of the instruction. So, we mention the name of the technique that has been taught, and then the player applies it. It depends on where the opponent’s balance is—whether it’s forward or backward—then we give the appropriate technique.

Prime Minister: So, do you also inform them about the position of their opponent?

Coach: Yes, exactly. We observe the opponent’s movements. If they shift their weight forward and move ahead, we use a forward technique. Similarly, if they lean back or are positioned in a backward stance, we apply a backward technique. These techniques help us gain points.

Prime Minister: When you’re seated there, you must feel the tension as well?

Coach: Absolutely, and we cannot step onto the mat as coaches.

Kapil Parmar: Sir, during the semi-final, the referee who was guiding me by the hand was trembling. In such a high-stakes match, he even made a wrong decision. Just like a third umpire reviews decisions in cricket, in my case, the decision was made hastily without proper review. That was also partly my fault; I lost momentum in the semi-final. But Sir, I promise you I will do better next time.

Prime Minister: No, you’re doing an excellent job, many congratulations.

Kapil Parmar: Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much.

Coach: Jai Hind, Sir. I am a soldier, and my wife is Simran Sharma, and we have Preeti. I am both an athletics coach and a para-athletics coach. I coach two athletes, both of whom compete in the 100 and 200 metres. The first track medals in athletics were won by my athletes, and we secured three medals in total. We learned a lot from the experience, Sir. For instance, in one event - 100 metres, we won two medals. Now, imagine, two athletes sharing the same room, both competing in 100 metres for the first time, and both winning track medals for the country for the first time. When two medals are kept in one room, and the second athlete’s event hasn’t even started yet, the pressure mounts on me as both a coach and a husband. I understand how it feels. The other athlete hasn’t yet competed, and the pressure builds knowing that two medals are already in the room. To help relieve that pressure, I had to keep him engaged throughout the day, ensuring he remained focused. We lost the 100 metres, but we gained a lot of experience, Sir.

Prime Minister: Well, you’ve spent your time there, but what will happen to you when you get home, Simran?

Simran: Sir, he isn’t as virtuous as he’s pretending to be. Before we came here, we had a discussion. We used to talk about who would bring the first track medal. When the event list came out, we realised Preeti’s event was first, so we were confident she would win the first medal. Before we arrived, this Gajju—meaning this coach—said he would give me a month’s rest. But once we got here, we were chatting in the morning, and now he’s telling me that I’ll only get a week’s rest, no more. I asked him why, and he said, “This is what you get for a bronze medal.”

Prime Minister: Well, now you won’t be getting any food!

Coach: Thank you, Sir.

Player: This was my third Paralympics. I had the honour of meeting you at the last one as well, and you motivated me immensely, but perhaps I still fell short this time. I finished fourth in the Rio Paralympics, fourth in Tokyo, and now fourth again in Paris, Sir. It seems the number four has a strong connection with me. However, I take this fourth position as a source of motivation, and I think that my next Paralympics, my fourth, will be the one where I truly achieve something. Sir, I don’t consider myself a failure. In fact, I am the only para-athlete, not just in India but globally, to have reached this level at such a prestigious event so many times!

There are many similar stories in Olympic history. For example, there’s a discus thrower from France who won a silver medal in his fifth Olympics. There’s also a triple jumper, I believe from the USA, who won a medal in his fifth Olympics. So I use these stories to motivate myself and aim to become the first para-athlete to inspire others by saying, “If I can finish fourth and not give up, why should you quit after your first attempt?” There are athletes, like Gudiya, who have finished fourth, and many feel disheartened by it. But I find comfort knowing that their coaches look at me as an example.

Prime Minister: I believe that your outlook on life is probably your greatest strength. You can look at it this way: by consistently finishing fourth, you’ve helped push nine others ahead of you, contributing significantly to the world.

Player: Sir, it doesn’t matter to me right now; this is the time for disciples. We are three athletes who are now mentoring our own disciples. Devendra Bhai Sahab's disciple won gold, Soman Rana’s disciple won bronze, and while I am not Navdeep’s official coach, I am his mentor. My journey in javelin, from the beginning until now, has been as his elder brother and guide. This time, I told Navdeep, “It’s your turn, take it.” But Sir, I promise you, the next time will be mine. I’ve been part of the last three Paralympics, and I’ve noticed that people always say these countries are big, so the competition is expected to be fierce. But Sir, I believe that if India hosts the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics, it will be the biggest event ever held on Earth. And Sir, even as we grow older, Devendra Bhai Sahab will remain our inspiration. We will strive to play in those games, even if it means keeping our bones and legs intact just to make it through.

Prime Minister: Your outlook on life is truly inspiring. The fact that you remain committed to achieving something in the future and never give up is commendable. I congratulate you.

Player: Thank you, Sir.

Coach: Namaskar, Sir.

Prime Minister: Namaskar Ji.

Radhika Singh: I am Radhika Singh, the mental coach for the shooting team. You asked us to share our experiences, and I believe the most important aspect is the bond of love within the group. In the shooting team, no one competes against each other; everyone competes with themselves. They focus on improving their own abilities, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses, and their love for the sport drives them forward. The team remained closely connected, and even though I was coaching two athletes for the same event, there was no sense of rivalry. Instead, the mutual respect and care for one another helped them grow. This love is clearly reflected in their performance, Sir.

Prime Minister: And when you work on mental health, what exactly do you focus on?

Radhika Singh: Sir, we work on transforming any weaknesses that lie within the subconscious mind, which makes up 90% of the mind. We focus on bringing forward their strengths, connecting them to their personalities, and helping them progress.

Prime Minister: Do you provide any specific training related to yoga or meditation?

Radhika Singh: Yes, Sir, yoga is also part of their training. Our team practised yoga regularly, and they meditated every morning. In the evenings, the athletes would reflect on what they had learned during the day, and this mental training was a daily routine. Along with their practice on the range, they incorporated yoga into their training, which brought a great sense of discipline and order to the team, Sir.

Prime Minister: Athletes from many countries around the world may not be familiar with yoga and meditation. What difference does this make in the quality of our athletes?

Radhika Singh: Yes, it makes a significant difference. When you gain control over your inner mind, it allows you to take your game to the next level. By promoting yoga in our country, you’ve done something truly remarkable, and I believe it should be introduced as a subject in schools. The power of science behind yoga is unparalleled, Sir.

Prime Minister: Congratulations.

Coach: First of all, it is a great honour that Kapil has won India its first medal, not only in para judo but also in able-bodied judo. Until now, there had been no medal in either able-bodied or para judo, and Kapil has made history by becoming the first to secure a medal for India in any sport for the visually impaired. So, congratulations to all of us for this achievement. The top judo officials in the world personally stepped down from the podium to congratulate us, saying they had not expected such a rapid rise in para judo. Hats off to everyone involved.

Sir, we could not have achieved this alone. We have received tremendous support from SAI, OGQ, and of course, the Government of India, which goes without saying. So, thank you very much. Coaches from the UK, USA, and Korea, who are our good friends, all approached us and said, "We knew you were on the rise, but we didn’t realise you would progress so quickly." We felt incredibly proud. Thank you to the entire team that has supported us throughout. Thank you so much, Sir.

Prime Minister- Many congratulations.

Coach: I would like to say something for Sandeep Chaudhary ji - "Only the horsemen fall in the battlefield; how can a child fall, who walks on their knees." So, you have shown everyone that only those who ride the horse can fall, children never fall. This is a big statement for you. And, Sir, I would like to speak about Harvinder as well. Sheetal, Harvinder and I am from archery, and as madam mentioned, Harvinder is the first archer to win a medal in the Paralympics. He won bronze in Tokyo and made history by shooting equivalent to able-bodied archers, scoring 28, 28, and 29. In the last arrow, Sir, you must have seen that it was very close. Had it hit 10, we would have shot on par with Kim Woojin and Brady Ellison.

Amisha: Namaste, Sir. My name is Amisha, and I am from Uttarakhand. This was my first Paralympics, and I am very grateful that in just 2 years since I started my game, I gained such a big experience. It has only been 2 years, and I have learned a lot in life. Thank you to my coach, who gave me the confidence that I could do it, because I was very scared. You had said to observe the people there.

Prime Minister: Now people must be scared; earlier you were scared, now people must be scared of you.

Amisha: You had told me to observe people, so I did that a lot, and I learned a great deal.

Prime Minister: What is the response from your family now? What do your family members say?

Amisha: Now the family is very happy. They always supported me, but now they support me even more.

Prime Minister: They are giving you even more support.

Sumit Antil: Namaste, Sir. My name is Sumit Antil, and I have won back-to-back second gold medal. I still remember, Sir, when I brought gold medal from Tokyo, you took a promise from me that you wanted two more gold medals like that. So, this second one is for you, Sir. Before the Paralympics, we were quite nervous because I was reading articles and my name popped up among those athletes who were favourites to defend the gold medal. But on 20th August, when I spoke to you, it reminded me of the Tokyo moment, that this time I had to perform well again. My entire team—my physio, my coach, all of us—are very grateful to you, Sir, because we feel that when we bring a medal, we will meet you, we will talk to you personally. Thank you very much, Sir.

Prime Minister: Congratulations!

Athlete: Most of us are sponsored athletes by the government or different organisations. So, sometimes there is pressure to perform. When you say, "Go and just play, winning and losing are part of the game”, when the Prime Minister of your country motivates you, these pressures seem very small. Last time, Sir, when I spoke to you, my performance in Tokyo wasn’t that good; I ranked 8th. Still, I asked you a question about how you feel when you visit foreign countries, whether you feel nervous. Your response was that you represent the entire country, and that instills confidence. With those words in mind, I went this time, feeling confident, with no pressure like before. I was very confident this time. Our team, the government, our coach, and everyone supported us well, and it was a great experience to compete. Thank you, Sir!

Prime Minister: Congratulations!

Coach and Athlete: Sir, Namaskar. The 16 years of dedication I put in has finally paid off, and my student Dharambir, who won the gold medal, is a part of that success. We are both competitors, and I personally trained him to this point. After talking to you on the 20th, I felt a very positive vibe, knowing that I had to give my best. As a coach, there's no greater feeling than this, and perhaps I am the only athlete in the world who competed against his own student on the field. My dedication was fulfilled through Dharambir’s medal and the contribution of our entire team played a huge role in this success. We have the most severe disability in our category, but SAI (Sports Authority of India) and the Ministry made key decisions by increasing the number of support staff. Initially, only 33% of the support staff was allowed inside, but thanks to Devendra Jhajharia Bhai ji’s decision, they rotated the support staff so that when our event took place, our people were allowed inside while others were rotated out. It is the result of this smart combination that we won so many medals. There were issues with food, especially for vegetarians, but SAI made special arrangements for a healthy diet at the village itself, and no one faced any problems with food. Thank you so much, Sir, for motivating our entire team. Thank you so much, Sir.

Prime Minister: Congratulations!

Athlete: I had participated in the Asian Games but couldn’t win a medal. When you met the medallists, you passed by very close to me, but I didn’t get the chance to meet you personally, which left a teasing feeling inside. After that, I was determined to meet you, and that drive pushed me after the Asian Games. I gave my all, and I think that inspiration helped me succeed. It has been six months since I last met my children, and I haven’t been home. My son is still young, and whenever I took him out, we used to use GPS on the phone to find the way. He now says, “Mama, you’ve forgotten the way home. At least use the GPS and come back home.” So, Sir, thank you so much for all your support and blessings. It’s because of you, our team, and our coaches that we have been able to achieve this. Thank you so much, Sir.

Prime Minister: Many congratulations!

Sharad Kumar: Sir, I am Sharad Kumar, and this is my second medal. I’ve been to the Paralympics three times now.

Prime Minister: If I ask both Sharad and Sandeep to give speeches, who will do a better job?

Sharad Kumar: Sir, Sandeep speaks very well, maybe that’s why he came in fourth (jokingly). But as an athlete, I want to say that I’ve been part of the para movement since it started, and today, seeing all the athletes at this level makes me feel proud. When we go abroad with our coaches, physiotherapists, and the entire team, people see India differently now. Earlier, they would wonder, "Can these athletes really rise to the top?" But now, they’ve categorized India as a sporting nation, even in para sports. This journey started with the image created by SAI (Sports Authority of India). With time, the support staff grew, and positivity spread among the athletes. Sir, the best part is meeting you. Before leaving, when you speak to us, and after returning, when you meet all of us—it’s something every medallist and athlete dreams of experiencing. Sir, people still haven't fully embraced para sports the way you have.

Palak Kohli: Namaste Sir, I am Palak Kohli, and this was my second consecutive Paralympics. In Tokyo, I finished fourth, and here I finished fifth. But the journey to both Paralympics was completely different. After the Tokyo Paralympics, in 2022, I was diagnosed with a bone tumour, stage 1 cancer, and for nearly one and a half years, I didn’t compete in any tournaments or do anything. Last year, in 2023, I made a comeback, and I am very happy and proud, thanks to the support and guidance of my coaches and Gaurav Sir, I was able to qualify for Paris. I missed many major tournaments after Tokyo, like the World Championship because I had to give a walkover, and in the Asian Games, I suffered from COVID. This year, I qualified for the World Championship and won a bronze medal, then I qualified for Paris back-to-back. My world ranking had dropped to 38 because I hadn’t played in any tournaments, but now I am back in the top 4, and I qualified for Paris. It is disappointing that I couldn’t win a medal, but with your blessings and everyone’s support, I am looking forward to LA 2028. I definitely want to have a picture with you on the podium, Sir. Thank you, Sir!

Prime Minister: Last time, your training took place in Lucknow, right?

Palak Kohli: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: I had spoken to your parents as well.

Palak Kohli: Yes, Sir, before I went to Tokyo.

Prime Minister: How are you feeling this time?

Palak Kohli: Sir, I am training in Lucknow under Gaurav Sir, and it was under his guidance that I discovered para-badminton. When I was diagnosed with a bone tumour, many people said that Palak’s career in sports was over. The doctors told me they couldn’t assure me if I would even be able to live a normal life. After the tumour, there were many complications. I already had a heart condition, and after the tumour, I developed a disability in my leg, causing a difference in leg length and other complications. But my family always wants to see me happy, and with their blessings, they’ve made sure I don’t lose hope.

Prime Minister: Look, Palak, your story is such that you can inspire many people. Despite so many hardships, you stayed on track, faced interruptions in your life, but never gave up on your goal. That is a huge achievement. Congratulations to you!

Palak Kohli: Thank you so much, Sir!

Shyam Sundar Swami: Namaste Sir, I am Shyam Sundar Swami, and I come from Bikaner, Rajasthan. I’m a para-archer. In our Bikaner, Karni Singh participated in five Olympics. I have learned a lot from Devendra Bhaiya because after 40 years, I participated in the Tokyo Olympics. I saw how Bhaiya played and thought, "This is how the game is played." Before joining para sports, I used to compete in able-bodied sports. In 2016, I found out about para sports because I saw a huge picture of Bhaiya in the newspaper. Learning from him, I participated in the Tokyo Olympics after 40 years.

Athlete: This time, I learned a lot, especially from Nitesh Kumar ji, the gold medallist in my category. Throughout his life, he had never won a match against the person he beat to win gold. And I defeated him earlier due to Nitesh ji. From him, I learned that if he can do it, I can definitely defeat him again, and I can beat anyone in the world.

Prime Minister: Congratulations!

Athlete: Thank you, Sir.

Coach: My name is Dr. Satyapal, and I am a para-athletics coach. There might not be any coach here who started training para-athletes before me. I began training para-athletes in 2005-06.

Prime Minister: How did you get the idea to start this?

Coach: Sir, I used to go to Nehru Stadium to train athletes, and I saw a few athletes there with limb deficiencies. I observed them, read about their conditions, and then heard about Devendra ji, who won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics. That’s when I started studying more about it and began training para-athletes bit by bit. Initially, all the coaches at Nehru Stadium used to look at me strangely because I would push Deepa Malik ji’s wheelchair or guide Ankur Dhama by holding his hand while walking around the stadium. They thought I was wasting my time. But today, those same para-athletes and the same coaches who once criticized me now want to train para-athletes. I’m saying this from the bottom of my heart because I’ve worked in this field. I’m very happy, and I promise you, Sir, that next time, we won’t just bring back 29 medals—we will bring back 50 medals because we are working that hard.

Prime Minister: Well done!

Coach: Thank you, Sir.

Prime Minister: See friends, it’s true that in every sport, the support staff or coaches have to work hard. But when working with individuals who have disabilities, before teaching them, one must prepare mentally to live and understand their life from the heart. You have to put yourself in their position, absorb the challenges they face in your own life, only then can you guide them. Otherwise, it’s easy to just say, “Run!” But the athlete might say, “I can’t run.” A coach understands why they can’t run and figures out the right way to approach it. That’s why I believe that coaches who train para-athletes are extraordinary; they have extraordinary strength within them. Few people can truly understand this, but I fully recognize it. I’ve mentioned this in many conversations I’ve had, even over the phone. While regular athletes need only to be taught technique, para-athletes need to be taught how to live as well. This is a form of deep dedication, and I believe those of you doing this work deserve the highest praise.

Coach: Sir, it’s been 30 years since I started participating in international competitions, both as an athlete and administrator. There was a time when not a single Indian flag could be seen. Now, the Indian flag is being raised and our players are coming back saying, “We can win medals because of para sports.” Earlier, the focus was just on participation, but now that concept has changed. I want to thank you, Sir. I tell many people, our brand ambassador is none other than our Modi ji—you are our brand ambassador. And Sir, India can win more medals in able-bodied sports as well. I’ve been to East Germany and Chennai, and now we have very good facilities in India. We just need to utilize them properly, activate the physical education teachers, and 100%, we will bring more medals. Thank you, Sir!

Nishad Kumar: Sir, my name is Nishad Kumar, and I compete in the T47 high jump. I have won silver medals in back-to-back Paralympics. Sir, I want to share my experience. When our team arrived in Tokyo, there was COVID, so we competed without any audience. But this time, at the Paris Paralympics, the stadium was completely packed. On the day I competed, the entire audience was cheering "India, India," which was very motivating. It gave me a push to perform well and secure a medal. The next day was my medal ceremony. After receiving the medal, I went to support my other team members in the high jump. The medal was around my neck, and a French family was watching me. They had been hoping for a chance to take a photo with me. As soon as the competition ended, I went down to take photos, and they asked for a photo, their children, who looked to be around 6 or 7 years old were thrilled to see the medal. The children had been cheering for me, and now they were standing with me and taking photos. The mother of the children told me that coming to Paris and watching the competition was successful because you are here with our children, taking photos and giving autographs. The whole family was very happy. This was a wonderful experience for me, Sir.

Prime Minister: Very good.

Vishal Kumar- Thank you, Sir.

Yogesh Kathuniya: Namaskar, Sir! My name is Yogesh Kathuniya. I am a two-time silver medallist. I want to share one thing about my experience—it's not just about experience, but about consistency. This consistency has come because of you, as the different schemes you have launched in India, whether it’s the TOPS scheme, Khelo India schemes, or NSUs, are all because of you. This time, we have won 29 medals, and Sir, I want to add one more thing for the others: for you, PM means Prime Minister, but for us, PM means Param Mitra (Best Friend).

Prime Minister: Wow. I am very pleased with the title you have given me. I also wish to work with you as a true friend.

Navdeep: Sir, my name is Navdeep.

Prime Minister: This time, the most popular reels were from you and Sheetal.

Navdeep: Sir, I compete in javelin throw in the F41 category. This is my second Paralympics. My event was on the last day, and I went there around the 21st. As soon as the medals started coming in, I began to feel anxious about what would happen with mine. But, Sir, I gained experience by interacting with senior athletes like Sumit Bhai, Ajit Bhai, Sandeep Bhai, and Devendra Sir, learning how they felt and what I should do. By the end, I was able to compete with a completely free mind.

Prime Minister: Wonderful.

Navdeep: Thank you, Sir.

Rakshitha Raju: Namaskar Sir, I am Rakshitha Raju, a visually impaired athlete. This was my first Olympics. I am very happy and have gained a lot of experience. I am a two-time gold medallist at the Para Asian Games. I am thankful to my guide runners and my coach, Rahul Balakrishna Sir. He is with me right here. Without a guide runner, I can't run. I feel very happy and am determined to win a gold medal at the Paralympics in 2028.

Prime Minister: Wow, congratulations and wish you all the best.

Rakshitha Raju: My guide runner and my coach motivated me a lot. I am very, very thankful because they spent time with me morning and evening without any expectation. Thank you so much, Sir.

Prime Minister: Well, friends, I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to talk to all of you. This time when you went, I couldn’t meet you physically because many of you were training in different places and there were some time constraints. So, I tried to connect with you virtually, and I had mentioned something that day which I hope you remember. I said that I am here to convey a message from the people of the country, and that message was "Vijayi Bhava" (Victory Be Yours). You took to heart the sentiments of the nation that we expect you to achieve. I understand that this is a very significant thing in itself. Secondly, I am observing that, because I am somewhat more connected with you, it seems that perhaps the divine has given you an extra quality. There might be some physical limitations, but the divine has given you something extra in your personality. I see that you have endured many personal challenges, struggled through those, and perhaps faced mockery and ridicule at times. You have experienced various kinds of hardships, and I see that in sports, the impact of victory or defeat doesn’t seem to affect your spirit. This is a remarkable trait. Otherwise, a defeated person, if they don’t win a medal, often feels burdened. None of you seem to carry that burden, which is a great achievement in life and gives you the strength to move forward. I want more people to join this sport and win more medals; that would be great and it should happen. However, through you, I want to create a culture in the country. This culture should be one where every citizen, when looking at people with disabilities, changes their perspective. They should see them with respect, not with pity. We don’t want pity; we want respect, and I want this mindset to be created in the country. Whether or not they play sports, there’s no need for them to feel disheartened. For me, your participation and the effort you put in, waking up at 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning and sweating it out for many years, will never go to waste. I assure you of that.

Because now, a new environment is beginning to be created in society for all Divyangjans (people with disabilities). The systems are also evolving. Everyone feels that they should also help and support. If I am sitting and someone else is standing, I should stand and offer them a seat. This change happens. Your contribution is not just about winning medals; it's about changing the mindset of the entire society. You are creating an environment where every person with a disability feels that they are not any less. I believe we need to continue this in the same spirit. Ultimately, medals and their numbers are counted in today’s age. But the spirit with which a nation of 140 crore people stand up to play and not just win is significant. This attitude of being a performer rather than just a participant is what becomes the strength of the country. You are adding energy to that strength. So, from my side, many congratulations to all of you. I’m happy to see the mood of everyone. Otherwise, I have seen some people who do not even smile until the next Olympics because they were stuck on their previous performance. I do not see that here; I feel like you have already won the next Olympics. I can read that in your eyes; I see the confidence within you. So, friends, I wish you all the best. Congratulations once again. Thank you.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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