Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], January 16 (ANI): Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, whereas just about inaugurating the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship on Friday, stated that the previous decade has witnessed an unprecedented transformation in India’s sporting historical past, making this era a golden chapter for Indian sports activities.
Addressing the championship’s inaugural ceremony, held by way of a digital platform from COER University in Roorkee, CM Dhami stated that this championship is just not merely a sporting occasion however a celebration of India’s indomitable willpower, which transforms each impediment right into a problem and each problem into a chance.
CM Dhami remarked that powerlifting symbolises self-discipline, persistence, braveness, and self-confidence. ‘This sport isn’t just about power; additionally it is a singular instance of resilience and self-respect.’
Chief Minister Dhami stated that India’s divyang (individuals with disabilities) brothers and sisters are right now bringing glory to the nation in each discipline.
He recalled that India’s first Paralympic gold medalist (Sheetal Devi), Murlikant Petkar, received gold in swimming on the 1972 Summer Paralympics. Similarly, Satyendra Singh Lohiya grew to become the primary Indian divyang athlete to swim throughout the English Channel inside 12 hours.
‘India’s para archer Sheetal Devi, regardless of having no arms, received a gold medal on the World Para Archery Championship, proving how weak point might be reworked into power. In the identical approach, the Indian Divyang Women’s Cricket Team introduced delight to the nation by successful the T20 Blind Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in Colombo,’ CM Dhami stated.
‘At the Tokyo Paralympics, Avani Lekhara received gold in taking pictures, and Sumit Antil claimed gold in javelin throw, establishing India’s dominance on the worldwide stage. Additionally, on the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Indian athletes created historical past by successful 29 medals. Furthermore, on the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, Indian gamers received 110 medals, demonstrating that Indian Paralympic athletes are second to none,’ CM Dhami added.
Referring to Padma Shri awardee Deepa Malik, who was current on the ceremony, the Chief Minister stated that she is India’s first lady Paralympian to win a silver medal in shot put on the 2016 Rio Paralympics. He added that she can also be a profitable biker, swimmer, and automotive rally driver, and that her journey has been deeply inspiring.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the previous decade has marked a unprecedented change in India’s sports activities historical past, making it a golden period for Indian sports activities. ‘Indian athletes have repeatedly pushed their limits and proven the world that India is now not a rustic that merely participates in competitions–today’s ‘New India’ performs to win.’
CM Dhami stated this transformation has been pushed by the clear imaginative and prescient and robust insurance policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ‘The Prime Minister’s love for sports activities is obvious in that, underneath his management, India’s sports activities price range has elevated threefold. The ‘Khelo India’ initiative launched by the central authorities is efficiently nurturing sports activities expertise throughout the nation and strengthening sports activities infrastructure nationwide.’
Chief Minister Dhami stated that the grand and profitable occasion of the thirty eighth National Games in Uttarakhand final yr has paved the best way for the state to be recognised not solely as ‘Devbhoomi’ (Land of the Gods) but additionally as ‘Khelbhoomi’ (Land of Sports).
‘At the National Games, athletes from Uttarakhand received 103 medals and secured seventh place. Under the Prime Minister’s steerage and help, the state authorities is creating world-class sports activities infrastructure. As a outcome, Uttarakhand right now is able to internet hosting not solely nationwide but additionally international-level sporting occasions,’ CM Dhami stated.
Praising the dad and mom of divyang athletes, the Chief Minister stated that they by no means thought-about their youngsters weak, however as a substitute turned them into their power. ‘Today, these youngsters have turn out to be an inspiration for your entire nation. He urged others to attract inspiration from them and warranted that the Uttarakhand authorities stands firmly with divyang athletes in each such endeavour.’ (ANI)