Mariyappan Thangavelu Creates History by Winning Gold at Rio Paralympics, TN Government Announces Rs 2 crore Cash Reward

Posted on 10 September 2016. Tags: announces, Cash, creates, crore, Gold, government, History, Mariyappan, Paralympics, reward, Thangavelu, winning

High jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu scripted history at Rio Paralympics by becoming the first Indian para-athlete to win a gold medal in the men’s high jump-T42 finals.
 
The other medal winner on day two of the prestigious tournament at the Olympic Stadium was Varun Bhati who won bronze in the same category.
 
The 21-year-old Thangavelu won the yellow metal with his best jump of 1.89 metres, while Bhati's best effort of 1.86m fetched him the bronze. He is the first Indian to win a gold medal in Paralympics high jump.
 
Under Sports Ministry’s Cash Award Scheme, Mariyappan will get Rs.75 lakhs and Bhati Rs.30 lakh.
 
Not only this, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) Founder Dr. S Ramadoss  urged Tamil Nadu Government to announce  a cash award of Rs two crore to Mariyappan for bringing laurels to the country. Soon after this the government annoucned Rs 2 crore cash reward for the para-athlete 
 
Mariyappan, who hails from Salem, had lost his right leg at a young age in a road accident. He belongs to a poor family and his family is still struggling to pay the Rs three lakh loan borrowed for his treatment.
Daily Bhaskar