"Appreciation from Government will motivate young athletes:" Tokyo Paralympics Gold Medalist Pramod Bhagat

Tokyo Paralympics Gold Medalist Pramod Bhagat received the prestigious Padma Shri on 28 March 2022. President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the country's fourth-highest civilian award to him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He feels that the government's appreciation will encourage the youth and young athletes.

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In an interview post the ward ceremony, Pramod Bhagat shared, "I'm extremely happy to be honored with the biggest civilian award, Padma Shri. India had won 19 medals including 5 gold medals in the Paralympics. The government has appreciated our achievements, this will motivate the young athletes in India."

The ace shuttler is now the first para-badminton athlete to receive the prestigious Padma Shri Award. He also received Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in October 2021.