TN CM announces Rs.2 cr reward for Paralympics gold medallist

Chennai, Sep 10 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief MinisterJayalalithaa today announced a cash prize of Rs. 2 crore for TMariyappan, hailing from the state, for winning a gold medalat the Rio Paralympic Games high jump event. "I am very happy to inform you that I have decided thatthe Government of Tamil Nadu will award you a cash prize ofRs.2 crore on par with Olympic Gold Medal winners from TamilNadu," she said in her congratulatory letter to Mariyappan. The Chief Minister said she was delighted to learn thathe has won a gold medal at the Paralympics. "I understand that this is the first time an Indian haswon a gold medal in the High Jump event in the Paralympics,"she said. "By leaping over a height of 1.89 metres, you have leaptinto history and done both the nation and the state of TamilNadu proud," she further wrote in her letter. Jayalalithaa said his achievement, overcoming severalobstacles and hurdles, would inspire more and more childrenand the youth to overcome adversities and to participate andstrive for greater achievements. "Kindly accept my heartiest congratulations on behalf ofthe people of Tamil Nadu on your splendid achievement. "May you stand forth as a beacon of hope for all thosestriving to achieve success in their chosen fields, overcomingall odds," she said. PTI VGN BN CMCM