The Uttar Pradesh government presented ₹6 crore for gold, ₹4 crore from silver and ₹2 crore for bronze medallists from state to “boost the morale of players” who brought honour to the country in the Tokyo Paralympics.
India had returned with its best-ever performance from the Tokyo Paralympics, winning 19 medals -- five gold, eight silver, six bronze. The country's previous best tally at one edition of the Paralympic Games was four.
Yathiraj is an officer in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), having achieved success in one of the toughest examinations in the country at the very first attempt. In fact, candidates often sacrifice years in pursuit of excellence in the Civil Service examinations and attempt it multiple times.