4/6
Para-sports changed society's perspective towards persons with disabilities - Para Revolution

“There was a time when families used to think that a disabled member is a burden on them, but para-sports has changed everything and now the same family takes pride in their sporting accomplishments. No longer they are dependent on a family rather they are the major contributors in the family's income,” said Saroha. Till date he has got cash awards over Rs 8 crore from state and central governments.

“We (Amit Balyan and Sunil Phogat) had a spinal injury almost the same time when Saroha also met with an accident. We met each other during our stay at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. At Saroha’s persistence we took to para-sports, but initially sports didn't fascinate us and after competing in one competition we stopped pursuing it. But Saroha continued with it and later on the name and fame he got through para sports inspired us to take up the sports again. Now sports has become an integral part of our lives," said Balyan (31), who hails from village Mahalana in Sonepat. His silver medal feat in Jakarta had got him Rs 20 lakh from centre and Rs 1.5 crore from his state.

“After the injury, I became dependent on others even for small things. Earlier, whenever I used to see my old parents, I used to come under depression that despite being in my prime of youth I’m unable to contribute to my family's income and rather had become a burden on them. But the pride and money associated with the para-sports has given me a new lease of life. Now I take care of all my needs and feel proud that despite the disability, I am able to give a comfortable life to my parents,” Balyan had said.

Since 2010, Haryana has equalled the cash awards of para and general sports, while Delhi also enhanced the cash awards for para sports. Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, MP, Karnataka and TN are the other states that are giving priority to para-sports. Jobs to para sportspersons under sports quota is also playing a major role in para revolution.