PM Modi’s heartfelt meeting with Paralympic javelin star Navdeep Singh featured a touching moment as he sat on the floor to receive a cap from the gold medalist.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartwarming moment with India’s Paris Paralympics champions during a special meeting on Thursday, September 12. Hosting the Paralympians at his residence in New Delhi, PM Modi congratulated them on their historic achievements. In a particularly touching gesture, he sat on the floor while javelin gold medalist Navdeep Singh placed a gifted cap on his head, ensuring the Delhi para-athlete could do so comfortably.
During their candid meeting, PM Modi and Navdeep Singh shared a light-hearted moment. In a video posted on Instagram by the Prime Minister, Modi humorously inquired about Navdeep’s expletive-laden roar during the javelin F41 final at the Paralympics, where athletes with short stature compete.
Navdeep Singh clinched India’s seventh gold medal at the Paralympics with a personal best throw of 47.32 meters. The young Delhi athlete, overwhelmed by emotion, celebrated passionately after sending the javelin soaring into the night sky in Paris.
PM Modi lightheartedly asked Navdeep Singh if he felt taller when the Prime Minister sat on the floor to receive the special gift, adding a touch of humor to their heartfelt meeting.
“Lag raha na tum mujhse bade ho na? (Do you teel taller than me now?),” PM Modi asked.
Navdeep Singh requested PM Modi to sign an autograph on his throwing arm, prompting the Prime Minister to note that, like him, Navdeep was also a left-hander.
Navdeep Singh recalled having promised PM Modi that he would win a gold medal at the Games, a promise he fulfilled, bringing glory to the nation.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including a physical disability that left him standing at just 4 feet 4 inches tall, Navdeep Singh’s resolve to excel in sports remained unshaken.
Navdeep Singh’s journey began in 2016, inspired by Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra. Initially drawn to wrestling, following in the footsteps of his father, Dalbir Singh, a national-level wrestler, Navdeep shifted his focus to para-javelin throw after being inspired by para-athlete Sandeep Chaudhary. Under Chaudhary’s mentorship, Navdeep honed his skills and won a gold medal at the 2017 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, marking the start of his successful career.
At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Navdeep Singh clinched gold with a personal best throw of 47.32 meters, surpassing the previous Paralympic record held by China’s Pengxiang Sun from Tokyo 2021. Initially finishing second behind Iran’s Beit Sadegh, who threw 47.64 meters, Navdeep’s silver medal was upgraded to gold following Sadegh’s disqualification for unsporting conduct.