New Delhi: Hours after Mariyappan Thangavelu made India proud by winning a gold medal in the ongoing Rio Paralympics 2016, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha announced a Rs. 2 crore award for the athlete on Saturday


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Early today, Mariyappan gold medal in the men's high jump T-42 event with a leap of 1.89 metres. And he thus became the first Indian para-athlete to bag a gold medal in the event. India's Varun Singh Bhati came third, behind Sam Grewe of United States.


Mariyappan was left with permanent disability at an early age when a bus crushed his right leg, below the knee. Bhati, meanwhile, had polio. That's their brief story!


The Sports Ministry also announced rich rewards for Mariyappan and Bhati. The two will get a cash prize of Rs. 75 lakh and Rs. 30 lakh, respectively. But for the Tamil Nadu athlete, more monetary rewards are in store.


Impressed with his effort, Jayalalitha released a statement, which read:


"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 Tamil Nadu proud. 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," said Jayalalithaa in a statement.


"I am very happy to inform you that I have decided that the government of Tamil Nadu will award you a cash prize of Rs 2 crore on a par with Olympic Gold Medal winners from Tamil Nadu," the chief minister said.


"May you stand forth as a beacon of hope for all those striving to achieve success in their chosen fields overcoming all odds," Jayalalithaa added.


Mariyappan's gold medal came as a relief for India after a disappointing Olympics.