Paralympic Games: PM leads kudos brigade for Mariyappan, Varun

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to India's lone individual Olympic gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra, congratulatory messages poured in from all corners for Rio Paralympic Games' T-42 high-jump gold-medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu and bronze winner Varun Bhati.

India’s Mariyappan Thangavelu (left) and Bhati Varun Singh celebrate their gold and bronze medals, respectively, in Rio on Saturday. Pic/AFP

New Delhi: From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to India’s lone individual Olympic gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra, congratulatory messages poured in from all corners for Rio Paralympic Games’ T-42 high-jump gold-medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu and bronze winner Varun Bhati.

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

Under the Sports Ministry’s Cash Award Scheme, Mariyappan will get Rs 75 lakh and Bhati will be presented Rs 30 lakh for their feat. The prize money is at par with the medal winners from last month’s Olympic Games as was announced by the Ministry before the Games.

Bindra welcomed Thangavelu to the gold medal club while congratulating the duo for their feat. “Mariyappan joins the gold medal club, welcome! Kudos 2 @GoSportsVoices for aiding Varun Bhati who won bronze! Champs,” he tweeted.

Rio bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik said the two are an inspiration for other athletes. “Indian sports mein prerna ki kami nahin hai (there is no dearth of inspiration in Indian sports). Congrats Mariyappan Thangavelu aur Varun Bhati aapke gold aur bronze ke liye. #Paralympics," she tweeted.

Amitabh Bachchan also congratulated the duo. “T2375-#Paralympics joy for India .. Gold & Bronze for Thangavelu and Bhatti in high jump ! COME ON INDIA !!!,” he tweeted.

Tweet talk
Narendra Modi
@narendramodi: India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics

Abhinav Bindra
@Abhinav_Bindra: Mariyappan joins the gold medal club, welcome! Kudos 2 @GoSportsVoices for aiding Varun Bhati who won bronze! Champs

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