Prime Minister Narendra Modi Leads Country in Lauding Paralympic Medallists

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to India's lone individual Olympic gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra, congratulatory messages poured in from all corners for Rio Paralympic Games' T-42 high-jump gold-medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu and bronze winner Varun Bhati.

"India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics," Modi tweeted for the duo.

Under the Sports Ministry's Cash Award Scheme, Mariyappan will get Rs 75 lakh and Bhati will be presented Rs 30 lakh for their feat. The prize money is at par with the medal winners from last month's Olympic Games as was announced by the Ministry before the Games.

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. The silver medal in this event went to USA's Sam Grewe who also registered the same mark of 1.86 metres.

India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics. #Rio2016

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2016

Mariyappan joins the gold medal club, welcome! Kudos 2 @GoSportsVoices for aiding Varun Bhati who won bronze! Champs pic.twitter.com/dQhlnGP45n

- Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) September 10, 2016

Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu for winning #Gold & Varun Singh Bhati for winning #bronze in Men's high Jump at Rio #Paralympics

- Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 10, 2016

Bindra welcomed Thangavelu to the gold medal club while congratulating the duo for their feat.

"Mariyappan joins the gold medal club, welcome! Kudos 2 @GoSportsVoices for aiding Varun Bhati who won bronze! Champs," he tweeted.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel also heaped praise on the duo.

"Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu for winning #Gold & Varun Singh Bhati for winning #bronze in Men's high Jump at Rio," he said.

"It is a big achievement and I am very proud of our athletes," he added.

Rio Olympics bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik said the two are an inspiration for other athletes.

"Indian sports mein prerna ki kami nahin hai (there is no dearth of inspiration in Indian sports). Congrats Mariyappan Thangavelu aur Varun Bhati aapke gold aur bronze ke liye. #Paralympics," she tweeted.

Indian sports mein prerna ki kami nahin hai.Congrats Mariyappan Thangavelu aur Varun Bhati aapke gold aur bronze ke liye. #Paralympics

- Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) September 10, 2016

Filmstar Amitabh Bachchan also congratulated the duo.

"T2375 -#Paralympics joy for India .. Gold & Bronze for Thangavelu and Bhatti in high jump ! COME ON INDIA !!!," he tweeted.

"Never seen anything more inspirational than this. Congrats Mariyappan Thangavelu #Paralympics #gold," added former hockey captain Viren Rasquinha.

Beijing Olympics bronze-medallist boxer Vijender Singh hoped that the two athletes would be accorded the same honours that were bestowed on Olympic medallists P V Sindhu and Sakshi.

"Hope india give the same prize money and honour to Paralympic athletes ???? #Rio2016Paralympics," he said.

Congratulations Mariyappan Thangavelu & Varun Bhati on winning #Gold & #Bronze respectively at Rio #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/ffcQJzkWqH

- BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2016

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju also congratulated Thangavelu and Bhati.

"Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics," he said.

Olympic bronze-medallist boxer MC Mary Kom said it was a proud moment for the country.

"Congratulation. Both of you has make all Indians PROUD. #KheloIndia," she said.

The Indian Cricket Board was not to be left behind either and posted, "Congratulations Mariyappan Thangavelu & Varun Bhati on winning #Gold & #Bronze respectively at Rio #Paralympics."

Congress President Sonia Gandhi also lauded the duo, calling their achievement historic.

"...history has been created today. Outstanding lives and games of these athletes will inspire generations to come," the party's official twitter handle quoted her as saying.

Rs.2 crore reward

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Saturday announced a cash reward of Rs.2 crore for Mariyappan.

"I was delighted to learn that you have won a gold medal in the Paralympics currently being held in Rio de Janeiro. I understand that this is the first time an Indian has won a gold medal in the high jump event in the Paralympics. By leaping over a height of 1.89 metres, you have leapt into history and done both the nation and the state of Tamil Nadu proud," Jayalalithaa wrote in her letter.

"Your achievement, overcoming several obstacles and hurdles, will inspire more and more children and youth to overcome adversities and to participate and strive for greater achievements. Kindly accept my heartiest congratulations on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu on your splendid achievement."

The Tamil Nadu chief minister further said that she was very happy to inform that the state government has decided to award a cash prize of Rs.2 crore on par with Olympic gold medal winners from Tamil Nadu.

"I congratulate you and all those who have contributed to your success. May you stand forth as a beacon of hope for all those striving to achieve success in their chosen fields overcoming all odds," she said.

India's Pride Moments - Indian National Flags raised High & Anthem Sung in Rio - Brazil Soil - Many Congratulations pic.twitter.com/fdSU4xO5hf

- Paralympic India (@paralympicindia) September 10, 2016