President, PM ,Sports Minister congratulate Mariyappan and Varun

10 September, New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Vijay Goel Saturday congratulated Indian athletes Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Singh Bhati for bagging gold and bronze medals respectively in the men’s high jump T-42 event at the Rio Paralympics.

“India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold and Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the Rio Paralympics,” Mr Modi tweeted.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel also tweeted, ”It is a big achievement and I am very proud of our athletes on this achievement.”

Family members of bronze medal-winning Bhati said, “We are very happy, he has made the nation proud.” Former Indian long jumper Anju Bobby George said “Para-olympians are equally good as our normal athletes. They bring glory and gold to country and both medals are equally worth,” she said. Meanwhile, under Sports Ministry Cash Award Scheme, Mariyappan will get Rs 75 lakh and Bhati Rs 30 lakh.

With a leap of 1.89 meters, Thangavelu scripted history as he became first Indian high-jumper to win a gold at Paralympics.

With 19 parathletes, this is India’s largest ever contingent sent to any Paralympic event.