Better late than never. Murlikant Petkar the first Indian to win the Paralympic gold for India got the prestigious Arjuna Award (lifetime) after 52 years. This award is given to individuals who have shown exceptional performance in sports and games. In 1972, Petkar won the para-swimming gold medal in the Paralympics in Heidelberg.
This award is specially given to him as a lifetime achievement award and outstanding performance in sports. His contribution to the Paralympics in 1972, along with his remarkable journey, helped inspire several generations of Paralympians to compete at the international games.
The 80-year-old walked up to the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, on crutches to receive his lifetime Arjuna Award. It was a heartwarming moment that captured the hearts of netizens because of Petkar’s resilience story.
Murlikant Petkar was an Indian soldier serving in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) department of the Indian Army. A debilitating injury during the 1965 war with Pakistan left the soldier paralyzed from his waist down because of a bullet lodged in his spine. However, this injury didn’t break Petkar and he won India the first Paralympic Gold Medal.
Previously, Petkar was previously a boxer and won a gold medal at Japan’s Military Games before his injury. Post his injury he shifted to paraswimming, table tennis, slalom, and javelin. However, he excelled in paraswimming, which got him the final gold. No wonder a soldier’s resilience is unmatched.
After half a century, the Paralympian got his much-deserved recognition from the country.
