The Tamil Nadu government has announced a cash prize of Rs 2 crore for Mariyappan Thangavelu, who won the gold medal in the T42 high jump event at the Rio Paralympics. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said in a press release that she was "delighted to learn" that Thangavelu, who hails from the state's Salem district, became the first Indian to win a medal in high jump at the games. The 21-year-old's gold was also India's third in Paralympics history.
Puratchi Thalaivi Amma announces 2 crores prize money for Mariyappan Thangavelu #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/EQwJAEx68Y
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) September 10, 2016
Jayalalithaa's announcement came only a few hours after Thangavelu's mother Saroja, had told Hindustan Times that she had hoped the government would reward her son after his win. The para-athlete will also get Rs 75 lakh from the sports ministry under its cash reward scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted that "India is elated" with Thangavelu's win.
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
Congrats to #MariyappanThangavelu for gold & Varun Singh fr bronze in #Paralympics
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 10, 2016
These true heroes defy all odds pic.twitter.com/yJNgQFm8eG
Congratulations on your medals at the #Paralympics #MariyappanThangavelu & #VarunBhati. Your strength & spirit is commendable. Keep shining!
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 10, 2016
T 2375 -#Paralympics joy for India .. Gold & Bronze for Thangavelu and Bhatti in high jump ! COME ON INDIA !!!
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 10, 2016