Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed India's Asian Para Games champions, celebrating their record-breaking performance of 114 medals (30 gold, 35 silver, 49 bronze) at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya. This represents a massive improvement from India's 2010 performance of just 14 total medals. The athletes set 5 new world records and 9 Asian records, with 34 out of 56 women athletes winning medals. In four events, Indian athletes secured all three podium positions (gold, silver, and bronze).
The PM highlighted specific athlete achievements including Mona Agarwal's world record in para shooting, Honey breaking his own previous world record, and Sandeep creating a world record in his debut appearance. Notably, 61 athletes participated for the first time, with 36 of them returning with medals. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) supported athletes won 41 medals, while Khelo India athletes won 19 medals.
The government announced the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme worth more than ₹1,800 crore to boost domestic sports equipment manufacturing. The initiative aims to make Indian sports products globally competitive and strengthen the MSME sector, creating opportunities in small towns and rural areas.
Significant policy changes for persons with disabilities were announced: the disability pension amount has been increased, the eligibility benchmark reduced from 80% to 40% disability, and pensions are now available for eligible children with disabilities from birth (previously required age 18). Other initiatives include the development of an Indian Sign Language dictionary with over 10,000 words, school textbooks in sign language, and the Accessible India Campaign to make public places more accessible.
The speech emphasized India's broader sports ecosystem development including Khelo India Centres, grassroots campaigns, and the Talent Hunt campaign launched from the Red Fort. The PM set the next target as the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, noting that athletes Avani and Manish have already secured their quota places.