Festive Courtesy Call at PMO Turns into Dialogue on Para Athletes’ Issues

New Delhi: Extending Dusshera wishes at the PMO on Wednesday, senior journalist Rakesh Singh and Parul Singh highlighted the state of para sports in India during their meeting with PM’s Principal Secretary, Shri P.K. Mishra.

While extending Dusshera greetings, the couple highlighted the hurdles faced by para athletes — ranging from inadequate infrastructure to lack of institutional support at the grassroots. Shri Mishra assured them that the Sports Ministry would take up the concerns raised and work towards providing greater backing to para athletes.

Speaking after the meeting, Rakesh Singh said, “It was a warm interaction where we not only conveyed festive wishes but also voiced the pressing challenges of para athletes. Shri Mishra ji’s assurance that the Sports Ministry will look into these matters was encouraging.”

Parul Singh stressed that the interaction marked a hopeful step forward for the para sports community. “Our athletes display immense determination, but their struggles with limited facilities remain a barrier. Today’s assurance gives us confidence that concrete action will follow,” she said.

The discussion comes at a significant moment, as New Delhi is currently hosting the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 (September 26–October 5), one of the biggest global sporting events for differently-abled athletes. Advocates say the event has brought para sports into sharper focus and offers an opportunity for lasting policy support.