Hyderabad, Dec 27: In a moment of immense pride for Indian para-sports, Shivani from Andhra Pradesh and Jyoti from Haryana were conferred with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, the country’s highest civilian honour in the children’s category. The awards were presented by the Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at a special ceremony held in New Delhi.
The prestigious recognition celebrates the athletes’ exceptional sporting achievements, resilience, and discipline at a young age. Shivani has distinguished herself in Javelin Throw and Shot Put, while Jyoti has showcased remarkable versatility and consistency across Discus Throw, Shot Put, and Javelin Throw, delivering strong performances at national and international competitive platforms.
Both young athletes were identified, scouted, and nurtured from the grassroots level by the Aditya Mehta Foundation. Over the past four years, they have undergone structured, long-term training combined with holistic personal development, reflecting a journey marked by perseverance, focus, and excellence both on and off the field.
Their achievement stands as a powerful testament to the impact of early talent identification, sustained mentorship, and access to opportunity. It also highlights the growing strength and promise of India’s para-sports ecosystem, driven by systematic grassroots development and long-term athlete support.
The Foundation also acknowledged the continued encouragement and support of its partners — Invesco, Flutter, GMMCO, and Alcon — whose commitment has played a vital role in strengthening para-sports development in India.
As Shivani and Jyoti receive national recognition for their courage and commitment, their journeys continue to inspire a new generation of young athletes to dream big and compete with confidence on the global stage.