New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met and felicitated all 19 Paralympians who brought laurels to the country with their spectacular performance in the Tokyo Paralympics. This year, the Paralympians won a total of 19 medals, which is much above than medals won in last 53 years taken together.
Devendra Jhajharia, who won a silver medal in Javelin throw, recalled his interaction with PM Modi and shared his thoughts on what this meeting meant to him and other athletes.
“PM Modi welcomed us all at his residence. We were all delighted upon meeting him. I personally welcomed Modi,” he said.
“PM Modi first asked me about my daughter. He also enquired if I had taken him to Gujarat. I told him since time was limited, I could not do so, but would surely do so in near future.
‘Achcha lagta hai…’ Paralympian #DevendraJhajharia praises PM @narendramodi‘s motivational words for sportsmen.@DevJhajharia pic.twitter.com/ml48LXAvM1
— Asianet Newsable (@AsianetNewsEN) September 9, 2021
Javelin throw medallist recounts hardships of 2014 Paralympics
Sharing his thoughts on PM Modi himself meeting the Olympic medallist and cheering them up for impressive show in Tokyo, he said, “It feels good that country’s PM motivates its players in this manner. I still remember that years ago in 2004, I had participated in the Paralympics but had to shell out my own pocket money for this, also had to sell the jewellery of my mother,” the javelin throw medallist said.
“But now, it has all changed, and a new India has arrived. Today, the government has provided the para-athletes with all the facilities,” he concluded,” he added.
Devendra Jhajharia won silver in Men’s Standing (F46) event
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia won silver medal in the men’s Standing Javelin (F46) event at the Tokyo Paralympics. He also recorded his personal best throw of 64.35.
Following his superb show, PM Modi also congratulated him for adding a silver medal in India’s kitty.
Superb performance by @DevJhajharia! One of our most experienced athletes wins a Silver medal. Devendra has been making India continuously proud. Congratulations to him. Best of luck for his future endeavours. #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/204B90fXbv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 30, 2021
