Rio Paralympic medallists to be recommended for Padma awards

In a bid to give increased recognition to their achievements, the medallists from the Rio Paralympics will be recommended for the Padma awards this year by the Sports Ministry.

In a bid to give increased recognition to their achievements, the medallists from the Rio Paralympics will be recommended for the Padma awards this year by the Sports Ministry.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the medal winners of the Rio Paralympics-2016, in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI Photo/ PIB (PTI9_22_2016_000221B) (PTI)

“Sports Ministry will recommend the names of our star #Paralympians to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the prestigious #PadmaAwards,” Sports Minister Vijay Goel announced on his Twitter page.

India won four medals -- two gold, a silver and a bronze -- at the Paralympics in Rio earlier this month.

Thangavelu Mariyappan (High Jump) and Devendra Jhajharia (Javelin Throw) won gold medals, while Deepa Malik (Shot put) had claimed a silver. Varun Singh Bhati (High Jump) had won a bronze medal.

The para-athletes were welcomed warmly on their return from Rio and were hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence.