Best Ever Performance
Close on the heels of superb or best ever performance by Indian sportspersons at the postponed 2020 Olympics at Tokyo,Japan recently, the Divyang athletes of track and field events of Bharat Varsh showed their remarkable prowess,confidence and acumen in the Paralympics that followed from 24th August to 5th September.
Number wise, latter with their renewed determination outclassed the normal or the able bodied brethren by securing 19 medals(5 Gold,8 Silver & 6 Bronze)as
compared to 7 medals won by the former.
Our country had sent its biggest ever contingent of 54 Para Athletes across as many as nine sporting disciplines.India not only took active part but did exceedingly well,much beyond expectations in Badminton by grabbing Gold and silver, rather, bulk of medals.Like Taekwondo this sport too had made its debut in the Games.
Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar won Badminton Golds while Suhas L.Y.,38 year old IAS, dynamic,committed and very effective officer of 2007 batch and current DM of Noida grabbed a silver medal also in Badminton.For the first AIS officer ever(who practiced diligently for two hours daily from
10 pm to Midnight after his tiring work) to get a medal at the topmost Games,it was a tough and fully focussed eighteen months.
PEEP INTO HISTORY
India since making its debut at the Paralympics in 1968 had won 12 medals in TOTAL till the Rio Games in 2016. During Rio Games Indians could manage only four medals.
INDIA opened Its account at Tokyo with Bhavina Patel’s unbelievable Table Tennis Silver medal in the women’s category. Maximum eight medals were won in Track & Field events,five in Shooting,four in Badminton and one each in T.T. and Archery.
For this game, after expressing her highest bout of expectation,country had sent largest ever contingent of 54(40 men,14 women) as opposed to 19 members at Rio.
Each para athlete had a different background & different tale to convey.All have been reported to have overcome several told & ùntold impediments. For their courage and Pucca Erada,their State sports associations,Union Ministry of Sports,their employers,family members and above all, the fully determined Sports minded P.M Sri Narendra Modi were responsible.
Rare Gesture
It goes without saying that by deciding to meet and felicitate all 54 participants on 9th September, the popular P.M. has once again displayed his wide vision and large heart.
Rare Courage & Determination
Indian Paralympians have rewritten history, rather,with due regards to main event competitors, they competed and won on a different level playing field, always under the painful shadow of Corona virus.
Upgraded Boost & Facilities
Boost or encouragement given to Divyangs in the last four to five years has proved very beneficial for the parents,relatives as also the persons concerned.A noticeable improvement has been witnessed both in outlook and treatment.If these are on positive side,things are bound to improve in the sphere of education or sports or dance & music.
Unprecedented Focus
In several parts of country, special or separate arenas,toilets,changing rooms,ramp etc were provided in all public places,grounds and stadiums.
Number and quality of Tournaments was also taken fully care of.With the passage of time,with changing perceptions and facilities, performance on the part of sportsperson too went on improving.
Not only additional funds were earmarked and released for them but wherever a need was felt for training in foreign countries,same was arranged.
Looking into the historical aspects,the Paraolymics are held mostly within a fortnight of conclusion of the main games at the same venue.Purpose is to utilise the venues with a fragment of expenditure and to give a bolstered encouragement and an enhanced inspiration to the Divyang Sportspersons.
Long Live Indian Sports !
Dr.Aaloc Srivastav,
IAS(R),
Ex-C.S,Sikkim
