Rio Paralympics: Padma awards mooted for Medallists

Indian medallists at the Rio Paralympics will be recommended for the Padma awards this year by the sports ministry in a bid to give extended recognition to the athletes’ achievements.

“Sports ministry will recommend the names of our star Paralympians to the ministry of home affairs for the prestigious Padma Awards,” sports minister Vijay Goel wrote on his Twitter page.

At the Rio Paralympics, India won four medals including two gold, a silver and a bronze earlier this month.

Thangavelu Mariyappan (high jump) and Devendra Jhajharia (javelin throw) won gold medals, while Deepa Malik (shot put) claimed a silver. Varun Singh Bhati (high jump) bagged a bronze medal.

The para-athletes were welcomed warmly on their return from Rio and were hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence.