Praveen Kumar, world No. 1 para high jumper and Paralympic gold medallist, will be honoured with the Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to sports. Born with a physical disability, he rose through determination and scientific training to become one of India’s most successful para-athletes, winning medals at the Paralympic Games, World Championships, and Asian Para Games, while setting multiple Asian records. His achievements have broken barriers between para and able-bodied athletics and continue to inspire young athletes across the country.