Paralympics 2016: Accolades and glory for India

Just a while after the country was basking in the glory of the success of our players at Olympics 2016 came some more proud moments which are there to stay in our hearts and minds for a long time to come! These priceless moments have surely made Paralympics 2016 a big hit for India too!

India’s Deepa Malik created history by becoming the first-ever woman from the country to win a medal at the Paralympics when she bagged a silver in the shot put F-53 event in Rio de Janeiro. Deepa’s best throw of 4.61m from her six attempts was enough to clinch the silver medal.

 

The achiever received a cash award of Rs. 4 crore under Haryana Sports Scheme for her feat. Deepa is a paraplegic, paralysed from waist down and mother of two and wife of an Army officer. Life took a twist when a spinal tumour made walking impossible for her 17 years ago.

The spinal tumour had to be operated and 31 surgeries were conducted on Deepa which was healed after 183 stitches between her waist and legs.

However, not the one who would ever give up, Deepa has just been giving in her best. She has also won medals in swimming at international competitions. She holds the Asian record in javelin throw, and also has World Championships silver medals in shot put and discus in 2011.

Thangavelu Mariyappan (21) of Tamil Nadu and Varun Singh Bhati of Noida —  also scripted history winning the gold and bronze medals respectively in the men’s high jump T-42 event at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. While Mariyappan jumped 1.89 metres, Bhati registered a personal best of 1.86 metres.

Their joy doubled when Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced a reward of Rs. 2 crore to these first Indians to win a gold medal in the high jump event in Paralympics. All political party leaders, including DMK president M. Karunanidhi, congratulated the youth on his achievement.

The player Mariyappan’s story is gripping just as it’s inspiring. Fifteen years ago, he was on his way to school in his village, when he met with a terrifying accident. A bus took a wrong turn, spun out of control and hit the five-year-old, running over his right leg and crushing it in process.

The high jumper who is India’s first gold winner at the Rio Paralympics, will pay off his 16-year-old ₹3 lakh medical loan using the ₹2.75 crore cash rewards that have been announced for him. The 21-year-old’s mother, a vegetable seller, took the loan to fund Mariyappan’s treatment after his right leg was crushed in an accident at the age of five. His victory in the game has enabled him to pay it off.

 

Kudos to all these inspiring souls!