PM Modi interacts with Paris-bound Indian Paralympic contingent: WATCH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday interacted with the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics 2024 starting from August 28Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya was also present during the interaction which was conducted on a video callIndia is set to field its largestever contingent for the Paris Paralympics 2024 with 84 athletes competing in 12 sports including archery athletics badminton canoeing cycling blind judo powerlifting rowing shooting swimming table tennis and taekwondoThe games commence on August 28 and promise to showcase the exceptional talents and dedication of Indias paraathletesWatch PM Narendra Modi during the interaction with the Indian contingent participating in the Paris Paralympics 2024 says When an athlete reaches such a big stage in any sport it reflects a story of courage dedication and sacrificeWhen it comes to paraathletes thehellip pictwittercomH6ZfjLjHnamdash IANS ians_india August 19 2024Watch PM Narendra Modi during the interaction with the Indian contingent participating in the Paris Paralympics 2024 says You are all going to Paris as flagbearers of India This journey is going to be an extremely important journey of your life your career This journeyhellip pictwittercomn8Mq2oF54ymdash IANS ians_india August 19 2024During the meeting Mandaviya said that the Indian paraathletes have proved that any hurdle can be crossed with willpower He added that the nation is confident that the athletes will bring laurels to the country in the Paris Paralympics 2024This is a proud moment where we have gathered to boost the morale of our athletes and extend them best wishes This time we are sending our biggestever contingent to participate in the Paralympics 84 of our talented athletes will represent India in the Paris Paralympics 2024 These athletes have not only shown excellence in sports but they have also proven that any hurdle can be crossed with willpower dedication and hard work I am delighted to say that 5037 of these athletes are participating in the Paralympics for the first time It is also a matter of pride for us that Indian athletes bagged 19 medals in the Tokyo Paralympics and 111 medals in the 2022 Asian Para Games giving their best performance and creating history We are confident that just like this they will bring laurels to the country in Paris too Mandaviya saidAlso ReadWATCH Vinesh Phogat beams with joy after special gift from brotherAt the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics India had sent 54 athletes which included 14 women At the Paris Paralympics however that number has grown to 84 overall with 32 women included in the Indian contingentIndia will compete in three new sports paracycling pararowing and blind judo at the Paris Paralympics extending the countrys participation to 12 sports Overall 22 sports will be held in Paris 2024Tokyo 2020 was Indias most successful Paralympic Games with the country winning 19 medals including five gold eight silver and six bronzeWith agency inputs