We all have heard of Neeraj Chopra, Abhinav Bindra and Manu Bhaker. They are the pride of the nation, the shining Olympians. They deserve all the attention they get and more. But, there are also some others who have earned the country’s attention- the para-athletes. Sadly, inspite of their exemplary achievements, especially in the recent past, the para-athletes remain neglected. Stories of each of these para-athletes is a chapter in motivation, for, even after physical disabilities, they didn’t lose their hope or determination. Instead of settling for an ordinary life, they strove for glory and made their nation proud.

 

Take the example of Nitesh Kumar, an IIT graduate who lost his left leg in a train accident. Yet, he started swimming and playing badminton and bagged a Gold at 2024 Paralympics in badminton. Navdeep Singh was mocked at by people for his dwarfism. But he silenced them all when he bagged a Gold in javelin throw in the 2024 Paralympics and a silver and a bronze in the World Champinshiops. Preeti Pal has Cerebral Palsy, and yet she bagged dual bronze medals at Paralympics of 2024 in two different categories of track events and one gold and a bronze at the World Champinships. And there is a star that rose high up and shone bright for the whole world to see- Sheetal Devi.

 

Just 18 years old with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder leading to underdeveloped limbs, she won bronze medal in mixed archery event at Paralympics 2024 and three golds and three silvers at different para-sports events. And only recently, another 18-year-old Indian archer, Payal Nag defeated the world champion Sheetal Devi to win the compound women’s gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok. There are examples galore of such inspiring stories---Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, an IAS officer who is also currently ranked World No 1 Indian para-badminton player. India topped the medals table at the the opening leg of 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai and yet, it did not create a buzz. This needs to change. We know the names of reality show winners and social media influencers, but hat about these individuals who should be the pride of our society? Time to take note.