Jaya gifts Mariyappan Rs 2 crore

CHENNAI: After Mariyappan Thangavelu scripted history at the ongoing

Rio Paralympics

, becoming the first Indian para-athlete to bag a gold medal in the men's high jump, congratulatory messages poured in from President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu acting governor C Vidyasagar Rao and chief minister J Jayalalithaa. besides several political leaders and activists.

While Jayalalithaa announced 2 crore for Thangavelu, he will get 75 lakh and Varun Singh Bhati, who won the bronze, 30 lakh under the Union sports ministry's cash award scheme. The prize money is on a par with that of medal winners from last month's Olympic Games announced by the ministry. Modi tweeted "India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold &

Varun Singh Bhati

for the bronze at the #Paralympics." In a press release, Jayalalithaa said, "By leaping over a height of 1.89 metres, you have leapt into history and done both the nation and Tamil Nadu proud. Your achievement, overcoming several obstacles and hurdles, will inspire 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."TNN on your splendid achievement."

Mukherjee said, "Hearty congratulations on becoming the first Indian high jumper to win a Gold Medal at the Rio Paralympic Games-2016. Your achievement will inspire confidence amongst all Indian sportspersons that they can reach the pinnacle of any sport at the international level. It will also in particular motivate and fill with pride the differently-abled people of our country."

Congratulating all those who have contributed to his success, she said, "May you stand forth as a beacon of hope for all those striving to achieve success in their chosen fields overcoming all odds." DMK chief M Karunanidhi, his son and party treasurer M K Stalin and

PMK

MP Anbumani Ramadoss too congratulated Mariyappan and Varun Singh.