She had three spinal tumour surgeries, over 180 stitches between her shoulder blades but that did not stop Deepa Malik from becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Paralympics. With her silver medal in the shot-put event, Deepa wrote herself into Indian sporting history.
And in recognition of that amazing feat, Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Anil Vij, has announced a cash award of Rs 4 crore for Deepa, at par with the Olympians. Sakshi Malik, who won bronze at the Olympics earlier, was given Rs 2.5 crore by the government.
The Minister, who was welcoming the athlete at IGI Airport in New Delhi, said it was a matter of pride for Haryana that a sportsperson from the state had bagged a medal at the Paralympic Games as well.
Vij further said that Deepa would also be given a government job as per her educational qualifications.
Deepa (45), hailing from Sonipat in Haryana, won a silver medal in the women’s shotput event with a throw of 4.61m in Rio de Janeiro.
Deepa, was confined to a wheelchair in 1999 owing to a spinal tumour which paralysed her from waist down.
She deserves all the love and recognition she is getting!
Watch the moment when Deepa Malik created history: