New Delhi: It was a proud moment for Odisha’s ace shuttler Pramod Bhagat as Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with him and other Indian athletes who took part in the recent Asian Para Games at China’s Hangzhou.
Modi shared light moments with Bhagat and his fellow-para shuttlers at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and had words of praise and encouragement for the para athletes who made India proud with a record medal haul.
Like in the Asian Games, India’s para athletes bagged a century of medals for the first time in Asian Para Games – a total of 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze.
“It was a moment of great pride and inspiration to meet our athletes who represented India at the Asian Para Games. Each one of them carried the aspirations of a billion dreams. Their life journeys of triumph over adversity fill us all with immense pride,” the PM tweeted along with pictures.
Bhagat thanked PM Modi for extending support to the para athletes.
“We, the proud para athletes, are deeply grateful for the honour extended for our achievements in the Asian Para Games. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us. We are inspired to make Bharat Proud,” Bhagat tweeted.
Dear PM Shri @narendramodi
We, the proud para-athletes, are deeply grateful for the honour extended for our achievements in the Asian Para Games. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us. We are inspired to make Bharat Proud.#parapridebharat#pmwithpara https://t.co/f4xLywJk5M
— Pramod Bhagat (@PramodBhagat83) November 1, 2023
Indian Paralympic Committee president Deepa Malik said Indian athletes had fulfilled the Prime Minister’s wish of 100-plus medals.
Malik termed the performance as a gift to all Indians for the ongoing festive season.
“We are very happy that para athletes have given this gift to the nation during the festivities. It was the vision of PM Modi for this time to win more than 100 medals… When PM Modi gave the word ‘Divyang’ to us, we understood that this new India is inclusive. These medals are proof of that,” Malik said.
