Devendra Jhajharia on Tuesday became the first para athlete to receive India's highest sporting honour — Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna — and said the state governments "need to do more" for the disabled athletes.
Jhajharia received the award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan along with Sardar Singh, who became only the second hockey player to get the prestigious Khel Ratna on the National Sports Day.
Javelin thrower Jhajharia is the only Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals — 2004 Athens Games and 2016 Rio Games — while star mid-fielder Sardar has been the architect of India hockey team's many victories in the last few years.
"It's a historic day for Indian para athletes. There are five crore such athletes and they need more support," Jhajaria said. "The state governments need to do more. There should be separate grounds with facilities such as ramps and easy movements for wheelchair-bound athletes and blinds," he added. The 36-year-old Jhajharia, who created world records while winning both his gold medals, said he would like to dedicate this award to his mother and his 7-year-old daughter.
The 31-year-old Sardar has faced allegations of sexual harassment by a Indian-origin British hockey player. He, however, denied the allegations and the government committee, led by justice CK Thakkar, chose him for the honour.
Sardar had become India's youngest captain when he led the side at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the age of 22. A recipient of the Padma Shri — the fourth highest civilian award — 2015, Sardar has two Asian Games medals — gold in 2014 Incheon and bronze in 2010 Guangzhou.
Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, one of the 17 Arjuna awardees chosen this year, did not attend the ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan due to his County commitments in England.
All the players received their awards and citation from President Kovind, who recently succeeded Pranab Mukherjee. Jhajharia was not the only para athlete whose achievements got official recognition on Tuesday, as Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Bhati also received the honour. Mariyappan had won the men's high jump (F46) gold medal at the Rio Olympics while Bhati had claimed a silver in the same event.