India’s success at the Paralympics has grown dramatically over the past decade, marking a shift in the country's approach to para sports and attitudes toward disability. At the 2012 London Paralympics, Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda’s silver in the men’s high jump was a rare victory, but it sparked debates about whether a single medal was enough for a nation with millions of people with disabilities. It also raised concerns about India's overall perception of para sports and disability. However, by the 2016 Rio Paralympics, India had won four medals, and by the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, the tally surged to 20. Most recently, India closed the 2024 Paris Paralympics with an impressive 29 medals.
Key moments from Paris included Sheetal Devi, who competes without arms, earning a bronze in mixed compound archery alongside Rakesh Kumar, and Navdeep Singh setting a record throw of 47.32m to win gold in the F41 javelin category for athletes with short stature. While India still lags behind countries like China (220 medals), Great Britain (124), and the US (105), supporters believe the tide is turning for para sports in India.
The shift can be attributed to the combined efforts of government agencies, corporate sponsors, and coaches investing in para athletes. Gaurav Khanna, head coach of the Indian para badminton team, highlights the growing interest, noting that the number of athletes in national camps increased from just 50 in 2015 to 1,000 today. He recalls how difficult it was in the early days to spot and recruit talent, often finding athletes in rural areas or at unexpected places like shopping malls. Convincing parents to trust an unknown coach and send their children to distant camps was especially challenging.
Another key factor in India’s para sports success is improved access to advanced equipment, tailored to individual athletes' needs, thanks to India's growing economy. Disability rights activist Nipun Malhotra emphasizes that society’s mindset has also evolved, with families now believing that children with disabilities can become champions. He notes that families and society are integrating people with disabilities more than they did 20 years ago.
Government programs like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), along with private organizations like the Olympic Gold Quest, have played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing talent. Sheetal Devi’s rise to fame, for example, would not have been possible without the support of a private organization. Born in a small village in Jammu district, she had little exposure to archery until two years ago when she visited a sports complex in Katra and met her coach, Kuldeep Vedwan. Today, Devi is as popular in India as Olympian Manu Bhaker, with brands lining up to sign her.
Social media has also been pivotal in connecting para athletes with the public, allowing them to share their stories and build personal brands. As more para athletes achieve commercial success, there is hope that many more will follow. However, Malhotra cautions that India still has a long way to go in terms of being disability-friendly. Despite his degree in economics, Malhotra struggled to find employment due to his disability, a reality he hopes will change with India’s recent Paralympic achievements.
Khanna and Malhotra agree that while India has made progress, grassroots facilities for para athletes remain inadequate, even in major cities. Malhotra points out that trained coaches are essential for identifying talent and guiding athletes toward appropriate categories, yet such expertise is lacking. Khanna adds that para sports won't reach their full potential until every child with a disability, even in the remotest parts of the country, has access to quality coaching and facilities. For India to compete at the highest level, a broader commitment to developing infrastructure and training para sport coaches is essential.