India Celebrate Paralympians in One-of-a-Kind Postcard Collection
The winning spirit of India’s medal winning campaign at Paris Paralympics 2024 has been chronicled with a unique set of postcards in Tamil Nadu. It is the brainchild of P Venkatesan, founding treasurer, Postcrossing Society of India and Virudhunagar based artist S Sivabalan, who collaborated over the making of a set of 28 one-of-a-kind, line-drawn, postcards of the medalists. The collection that will feature the gold, silver, and bronze winners will be released by India Post at the General Post Office in Bengaluru on September 25, 2024. Swift Creations for Every Medal Win The postcards were churned out in a very fast-paced manner – one per day India won a medal. The rarer one, with all the gold medal-winners, had already been brought out on September 9, 2024. The complete set will be out on Antyodaya Diwas, a day for the empowerment of the marginalized and falling on Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birthday. A Tribute to the Spirit of Paralympians It was a dedication to the Paralympians; they have a greater challenge. But the same time, he added, that participation from South India has been much higher this time. The whole project, supported by the Postcrossing Society of India, had crucial support from India Post and its own president Colonel Akhil Kumar who helped in getting approval. Philatelic Interest for Collectors India Post has also issued a set of stamps on the Paris Olympics 2024. Thus, the current collection of postcards will be very much in demand among the collectors. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IndianOil Rolls Out Scholarships & Medical Insurance for India’s Para Champs
India recently created ripples at the Paris Paralympics 2024, breaking all previous records with a total of 29 medals. With 7 Golds, 9 Silvers and 13 Bronzes in their kitty, India’s performance at Paris Paralympics 2024 becomes their best performance in the Paralympic Games so far. Talk about raising the bar! IndianOil Fuels Fire Behind the Glory Behind every good victory, there is a solid backbone and this time around, IndianOil shares equal merits. Since its partnership with the Paralympic Committee of India back in October 2023, IndianOil has been the fuel-driving force behind India’s para-athletes reaching great heights. The financial backing, coupled with unstinting support, gave them that extra edge to excel on the world stage. Minister Of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Cheers Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports was overjoyed, hailing the magnanimous success of the athletes. She believes that India’s para-athletes are not mere champions-they are role models for generations to come. Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse also gave a big thumbs-up to IndianOil’s involvement, believing that corporate partnerships are now emerging as the new power-house driving India’s sports revolution. Full Support: IndianOil Ups the Ante Wait until you hear what is next, if you think that this was something. Mr. Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, had some very exciting news to let out: IndianOil is doubling down on its support. Monthly scholarships? Check. Medical insurance? Check. Custom sports kits? You bet! Eyes on the Future: PCI Prepares for More Wins The President of the PCI, Mr. Devendra Jhajharia, is already looking to the future and preparing to help his team of athletes to continue winning. With IndianOil solidly behind them, the prospects for India’s para-athletes have never looked brighter. IndianOil is more than just supporting them for the sake of medals. It is about filling up the tank of India’s sporting dreams. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: 29 Is The Number For India
The Indian para-athletes have just written the ultimate sports thriller in the Paris Paralympics 2024. After more than 10 days of extreme fighting, they have collected 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers and 13 bronzes-more than ever before. Consequently, this is considered the biggest Paralympic success of India. This campaign had all those heart-pounding moments that culminated in unforgettable victories. Gold Fever: Avani and Navdeep Set the Stage Avani Lekhara led the way with gold in the women’s 10m Air Rifle SH1. By the time Navdeep launched his javelin to win in the men’s F41, India were into an epic finale. Not stopping there, though, India also hit some firsts. The first Paralympic archery medal was a chord struck just perfect by Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar, while Kapil Parmar turned the script on its head in judo, bagging our first-ever medal in the sport. If that was not enough, Harvinder Singh ensured the golden arrow in para-archery shone bright for India. Close but Oh-So-Sweet: Top 20 Finish India finished 18th in the overall medals tally, missing out on the chance of breaking into the top 15 by a whisker-just one gold! And if this is not proof enough that India’s para-athletes are a force to be taken seriously, we don’t know what is. High Jumps And Big Records Praveen Kumar wins gold in a jaw-dropping high jump T64 final, clearing seven heights like a big deal and takes home gold. Sumit Antil wasn’t happy stopping at his world record in Tokyo; he broke it all over again at Paris Paralympics 2024 to go to a gob-smacking 70.59m in the men’s F64 javelin. Girl Power All the Way! India’s women para-athletes started a storm and India welcomed 10 women with 11 glittering medals. Preethi Pal, in her first outing, got two bronze medals in the sprints of the T35 category and left people asking for an encore. Bollywood Ending for India If the Paris Paralympics 2024 were a Bollywood movie, this would be the blockbuster ending! With golds, first-time wins and a plethora of records-smashing, Paris 2024 is a milestone that will be etched in history as India’s greatest Paralympic success. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Kapil Parmar’s Bronze Blitz: India’s Para Judo Trailblazer
Kapil Parmar created history by securing India’s first bronze medal in para judo at the Paris Paralympics 2024. On Thursday, Parmar simply outclassed his opponent, Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira, in the men’s 60kg (J1) category with an absolute thrashing of 10-0. Talk about a convincing victory! From the small village to big leagues Kapil, the Judo sensation from Shivor-a teeny village in Madhya Pradesh, that is only large enough to have a mishap with the water pump. Being the youngest of five siblings, his dad drives a taxi, while his sister runs a school; one would think Parmar’s story was the script for a real-life underdog movie. His middle brother is a judo enthusiast and joined him for training. Family squad goals! Lightning Start to a Judo Career Kapil Parmar’s path to the Paralympics was not easy. As a kid, he had received a shock when he came in contact with a water pump and slipped into a six-month-long coma. Powering up blindsided, he used this as an opening he could bank on in blind judo, initiated by his ever-inspiring mentors Bhagwan Das and Manoj Sir. Medal Mania How is that for being on a roll? Kapil Parmar’s trophy cabinet has started looking like a judo jackpot. From silver at the Asian Para Games 2022 to golds at the Commonwealth Championships and IBSA Judo Grand Prix in 2024, the medals have been coming as if he is collecting them for the end of their fashion. Add to this a bronze at the IBSA World Games in 2023 and it becomes clear: Kapil is on a winning streak that is raising a storm. So here’s to Kapil Parmar-India’s para judo trailblazer, who showed the rest of us with grit and grace, even from a village as unlikely as anything, the birth of a champion was possible! The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Yogesh Kathuniya; From Paralysis To Paralympics
Yogesh Kathuniya’s journey to becoming a Paralympic silver medalist shows the strength of determination and hardwork. Born in Haryana, Yogesh was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome at the age of 8, a condition that left him paralyzed and battling for mobility. Despite this daunting challenge, Yogesh refused to let it limit his potential. When Yogesh Met Sports Yogesh’s introduction to sports came much later in life, during his college days at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, where he discovered his talent for discus throw. With no formal training initially, he worked tirelessly to hone his skills, eventually breaking into the international arena. Yogesh Breaks Through His breakthrough came in 2019 when he set a world record in the men’s F36 category at the World Para Athletics Championships with a throw of 45.18 meters. This achievement put him into the limelight, however it was just the beginning. A Silver Lining For Yogesh At the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, Yogesh clinched a silver medal with a throw of 44.38 meters, cementing his status as one of India’s finest Paralympic athletes. Beyond his athletic success, what makes Yogesh truly inspiring is his unwavering dedication, overcoming personal and financial challenges with the support of his mother, his biggest pillar of strength. Yogesh Kathuniya’s story isn’t just about medals—it’s about redefining strength and proving that no obstacle is too great to overcome. The Sportz Planet Desk,Nitya Sutrave
Paris Paralympics 2024: From Roller Hockey to Wheelchair Hero: The Unstoppable Pranav Soorma
Pranav Soorma was your regular sports-loving teenager, zipping through roller hockey matches, smashing sixes on the cricket field. That was until life threw him the ultimate curveball at 16. A freak accident-where a cement sheet fell on his head-changed it all, leaving him paralyzed and facing a future in a wheelchair. Wheelchair? No Problem! Let’s Crush Exams Instead For most, that would be game over. Not for Pranav Soorma. With a razor-sharp mind and 91.2% in the 12th boards-yes, you read that right-he planned his coup in academics by doing a degree in Economics from the prestigious Delhi School of Economics and landed a plum role as an Assistant Manager at Bank of Baroda. The power move! Para Sports: Love at Second Sight And then, the most unlikely comeback happened. Pranav Soorma went back to loving sports this time on wheels. Enter para athletics! It wasn’t long before he crushed the competition: a silver at the 2019 Beijing Grand Prix and gold at the Serbia Open 2023. His ultimate flex? Smashing a throw of 30.01m at the 2023 Asian Para Games with a new record for the men’s club throw F51 event. Boom! The Real MVPs: Team Soorma, aka His Fam Here’s the kicker-Pranav Soorma didn’t do it alone. His dad, Sanjeev, quit to become his full-time sports sidekick, while his mom held down the fort as his biggest cheerleader. With their backing, Pranav Soorma’s story isn’t just about medals; it is of grit, family, and turning life’s wildest challenges into pure gold. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Felicitates Indian Para-Badminton Team for Historical Podium Finish At The Games
In the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the felicitation of the Indian Para-Badminton team was carried out in New Delhi for its spectacular performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The contingent returned to India with their best-ever performance in Para-Badminton, securing a total of five medals-one Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze. Appreciation Expressing his pride, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the athletes: “You have made the entire nation proud with your outstanding performance. Your dedication and spirit have set a new benchmark for Indian sports” He also encouraged those who narrowly missed out on medals, underlining that their experiences weren’t a loss: “We haven’t lost medals, we have gained invaluable experience. I am confident that in the future Paralympics, our medal count will further rise, and each of you will emerge as winners.” he assured. India’s Steady Progress in Sports Dr. Mandaviya also spoke of the gradual rise of India at international sports over a decade and elaborated, “In the last 10 years, we have continuously improved our performance, proving our mettle on the global stage,” He reassured the government of its commitment to increasing support for para-athletes by providing better facilities, training, and opportunities to excel. Medal Winners The champions in Para-Badminton were Nitesh Kumar (Gold), Suhas LY (Silver), Thulasimathi Murugesan (Silver), Nithya Sre (Bronze), and Manisha Ramadass (Bronze). Their efforts helped India overtake the number of medals it won at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a total of 20 medals so far as of September 3, 2024. Recognition of Support by Government The athletes thanked the government, especially for its support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which helped to provide them with facilities and resources that were imperative to win on the international front. Notably, the Government of India sanctioned 19 exposure trips abroad for the 13 para shuttlers who played in the games, proving a strong support system for the winners. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: From Sangli to Silver: Sachin Khilari’s Shot Put Heroics
There’s a new underdog story in town, and it’s packing a punch. Sachin Khilari, India’s shot put sensation, has just snagged a dazzling silver medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, launching his way into the spotlight with a throw of 16.32 meters. It was an incredibly nail-biting finish, falling a mere 0.06 meters short of gold. From Village to Podium Born and brought up in Karagani village, Sangli, Maharashtra, Sachin’s life may have appeared to be going off track after a school accident left him with a disability in his left hand. However, rather than letting this setback weigh him down, he decided to toss his troubles aside and dive head-first into para athletics in 2015. Sachin then tried his shot at the NAtional games and struck gold in 2017. Talk about a comeback! A Blockbuster Journey The journey of Sachin from a small village to the grand stage of the Paralympics is nothing less than a Bollywood blockbuster. He is not only breaking records but is breaking them comprehensively. His silver medal in Paris is India’s 21st medal of the Games-a new national record. And, oh yeah-forget that he is also a mechanical engineer and a part-time educator. Who knew shot puts and chalkboards go so well together? The Silver-Shot Superstar A heart as big as the size of his throws itself; Sachin’s story goes on to prove that none of the toughest throws in life can stand a chance against sheer determination. Here’s to Sachin-the silver-shot superhero of the Paralympics! The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Sharad Kumar, India’s High Flying Hero
India’s high-flying hero, Sharad Kumar, produced a silver medal in the men’s high jump T63 class at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024. A Silver so Close At 1.88 meters, Sharad jumped so well that he almost grabbed gold. However the top spot was grabbed by USA’s Ezra Frech, who cleared an incredible 1.94 meters, setting a new Paralympic record in the process. Adding to the glittering collection of Sharad, this silver is in continuation of his bronze at Tokyo 2020. Talk about high stakes! From Polio to Podium: The Sharad Kumar Saga Sharad Kumar’s story reads like a movie script. Having polio at the tender age of two, one would think his chances were pretty slim. But not even close! Instead of staying grounded, Sharad defied expectations and soared high. His high jump dreams took to the air in his school days in Darjeeling, where he was already breaking records-even among able-bodied competitors. His international debut at the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou marked only the beginning of this high-flying career. Leaps and Bounds of Success The career of Sharad is a plethora of very magnificent moments. He grabbed gold in the 2014 Asian Para Games, breaking a record that had stayed for 12 years and continually bagged silver in the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships. But wait-there’s more! Again, at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, he leaped a new Games and Continental record by 1.90 meters. With an Arjuna Award presented to him in 2021, Sharad Kumar is not only jumping high but jumping straight into the hearts of fans all over! The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Nitesh Kumar: From IIT Grad to Paralympic Gold – A Smash Hit!
IIT graduate Nitesh Kumar, with a penchant for numbers and the willow, struck gold on his debut in the SL3 singles para-badminton category in the final at the Paris Paralympics 2024. At 29 years young, turning the tables on his long-time nemesis Daniel Bethell, he kept the audience on tenterhooks throughout the nail-biting final, finishing 21-14, 18-21, 23-21. The Ultimate Showdown: Nitesh vs Bethell Just imagine this: two behemoths colliding-the top two seeds-and bragging rights to boot in a match that did not just deliver, but exploded! Nitesh, who had lost his leg in a train accident at the tender age of 15, was as cool as cucumber cake even when his prosthetic leg needed a mid-match fix. He did not only break his nine-match losing streak against Bethell; he did so in style, snatching his maiden major singles gold medal. SL3: Where Strategy Meets Stamina This is no joke because the SL3 category is where players with severe lower limb disabilities give it their all on just half the badminton court. The result is longer rallies, more strategy and loads of skill. Nitesh was a maestro on the court, playing cool-headed brilliant games to force Bethell into mistakes shuttle by shuttle. How to Make a Champion Just when you thought it was all over, Bethell managed to claw his way back into the contest, taking the second game. However Nitesh was just not about to allow this gold to slip away from his grasp. In a heart-stopping decider, he held his nerve, played his game and sealed the deal with a roar that simply echoed through the arena. With this win, Nitesh not only secured a place for himself in the Paralympic hall of fame but also continued the golden streak for India in the category SL3. A journey from the classroom to the court is nothing less than inspirational; it proves that with grit and guts, you can smash any challenge that comes your way. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Sheye
