Sports ministry to recommend Rio Paralympic medallists for Padma awards

Rio Paralympics medallists are set for greater recognition for their achievements with the Sports Ministry on Friday announcing that it will recommend names of Paralympic winners for the Padma awards this year.

“Sports Ministry will recommend the names of our star #Paralympians to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the prestigious #PadmaAwards,” Sports Minister Vijay Goel announced on his Twitter page.

India won four medals – two gold, a silver and a bronze – at the Paralympics in Rio earlier this month.

Thangavelu Mariyappan (High Jump) and Devendra Jhajharia (Javelin Throw) won gold medals, while Deepa Malik (Shot put) had claimed a silver. Varun Singh Bhati (High Jump) had won 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.

(With inputs from PTI)