Para athlete Nishad keeps promise to mother in style, wins Rs 7.80 crore

Nishad Kumar, a para athlete, fulfilled a promise he made to his mother by winning a massive cash award of Rs 7.80 crore. The award was given at a function in Shimla, organised by the Sports Department to reward sportspersons who have won laurels for the country in international sports competitions.

As soon as Nishad’s name was announced, schoolchildren screamed “Saat crore”, imitating Amitabh Bachchan from the famous TV show “Kaun Banega Crorepati”. Nishad, who stands six feet four inches tall, won a silver medal in the Paris Paralympics and Asian Para Games.

For Nishad, the huge cash award marked the fulfilment of a promise he had made to his mother when the family was struggling to fund his training. “A few years ago, when I was training to become a world-class high jumper, I called my mother to ask her to send me Rs 5,000. It was a significant amount, considering our financial condition was not good. At that moment, I promised my mother that one day I would earn so much money that she wouldn’t have enough space to keep it. I think I’ve fulfilled that promise today,” said Nishad.

Nishad’s journey to winning medals and earning massive cash awards has been tough. Born in a small village near Una in a small-time farmer family, Nishad lost his hand in an accident when he was seven. Undeterred, he pursued athletic events like high jump and long jump in school.

Nishad’s mother, a sportswoman herself, encouraged him to participate in sports despite his disability. “Even though my hand was amputated, my parents never discouraged me from participating in sports,” he recalled. After passing out of school, Nishad learned about para sports and got himself enrolled under coaches at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula.

In 2018, Nishad announced his arrival at the national level with a silver medal in National Games. A year later, he won a bronze in a World Championship, followed by medals in Asian Para Games and in Tokyo and Paris Paralympics.

Nishad’s father was overwhelmed by the occasion and his son’s achievement. “We have gone through very difficult times,” he said. “I was a small-time farmer, worked as a mason, sold vegetables on a cycle, but I am glad my hard work has paid off. My son has changed our life.”