Thangavelu Mariyappan, who became only the third Indian ever to clinch a gold medal in the Paralympics, will be the country's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the Rio Games here on September 18.
"Thangavelu Mariyappan will take lead as the flag bearer of the closing ceremony at the Paralympic Games 2016!," the Indian Olympic Association tweeted from its official handle.
Mariyappan, who was merely five-years-old when his right leg was crushed by a speeding bus, joined Murlikant Petkar (1972, swimming) and Devendra Jhajharia (2004, javelin throw) in the Indian Paralympics gold club.
Mariyappan won the yellow metal in the T-42 High Jump event with a best effort of 1.89m, leaving behind world champion Sam Grewe of the USA who registered 1.86m.
Rs 1 cr reward for varun
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday greeted the 2016 Rio Paralympics bronze medallist in high jump Varun Singh Bhati and announced a cash reward of Rs one crore for him.
Yadav said that Bhati, through his dedication, hard work and talent has brought laurels to the state and the country and added that this achievement would certainly inspire other divyangs to follow him.
The 22-year-old Bhati hails from Jamalpur village of Greater Noida.