Indian Paralympians Return Home to Heroes' Welcome

Indian Paralympic athletes received a jubilant welcome at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport after their record-breaking performance at the Paris Paralympics, where they secured a historic total of 29 medals, including 7 golds. Avani Lekhara, who became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals in Paralympic history, expressed pride in their achievements, stating, 'It has been a good journey.' Fellow medalists, such as Mona Agarwal and Rakesh Kumar, also shared their joy and gratitude, with Kumar attributing his success to his coaches. The celebrations outside the airport featured flower petals and cheers from fans, reflecting the athletes' significant impact. This marks India's best performance ever in the Paralympics, surpassing their previous achievements in Tokyo 2020. The event concluded on September 8, 2024, with many athletes still to return home.