Amb celebrates Nishad Kumar’s silver in Tokyo Paralympics

Rajesh Sharma

Una, August 30

Residents of Badaun village in Amb subdivision of Una district are jubilant over local lad Nishad Kumar (22) winning a silver medal in the high jump event at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics. He had jumped 2.09 metres in the T47 category to win the silver medal on Sunday.

Nishad’s father Rashpal, who is a mason by profession, says that his son was a special child but he always had a deep passion for sports. He along with his wife Pushpa Devi, daughter Rama Devi and Nishad lives in a small house at Badaun village where celebrations began soon after the news about the village boy winning the silver medal spread. “People are visiting us to congratulate us,” says Pushpa Devi with a smile on her face.

“Nishad did matriculation from a private school in neighbouring Katohad Khurd village, and Class XII from Government School at our village,” says Nishad’s elder sister Rama Devi, who has done B.Com.

Earlier this year, Nishad had won the gold medal in the T47 category high jump event at the World Para Athletics Grand-Prix held in Dubai. He also has an Asian Games record in his name.

Rama Devi says that for the Paralympics, Nishad was initially trained at Panchkula and later the Paralympic Committee of India sent him to Bengaluru for advanced training. “We plan to welcome Nishad in a grand style with a brass band party,” she said with a gleaming face.

Meanwhile, Rural Development Minster Virender Kanwar and Chairman of the State Finance Commission Satpal Singh Satti have congratulated Nishad and his family members on his achievement. They also praised the Chief Minister for announcing Rs 1 crore as the prize money for Nishad.

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