Three years ago, the Indian Paralympian squad broke some records in Tokyo. Taking the country’s global ranking to 24, with five golds. This year in Paris, we have surpassed our 2021 tally of 19 medals. Our medal count as of today stands at 24 with the global ranking being 13. And there are still a few days to go.
But the news coverage around para champions remains consistently scant. Insufficient in both quantity and quality. Writing this piece is almost like déjà vu. I called out the Indian media in my column three years ago and here I am scripting similar displeasure and disappointment in Column #99. That’s correct, it’s been a while. Four years of ranting against the Indian media’s neglect towards disability inclusion.
However, it would be wrong to say nothing has changed. We have come a long way from 2016 when India didn’t even buy the broadcasting rights of the Rio Paralympic Games. Today, an average sports enthusiast who has access to streaming services is following and cheering the para champions. Several folks have posted their support and appreciation for the ace performers on social media.
In the Tokyo edition, India recorded its best ever haul with a tally of 19, which included five gold, eight silver and six bronze. This year so far, we have won five gold, nine silver and ten bronze, which is a total of 24.
Shuttlers Nitesh Kumar, Thulasimathi Murugesan and Nithya Sre Sivan clinched gold, silver and bronze medals respectively in para-badminton. Javelin thrower Sumit Antil won the gold for his record throw of 70.59 meters. Yogesh Kathuniya bagged a silver medal in the men’s discus throw. The youngest woman to compete in women’s para archery at 2024 Paralympics, Sheetal Devi won the bronze medal in the mixed team compound event along with partner Rakesh Kumar.
Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at Paralympics in women’s 10m air rifle shooting. Preeti Pal also made history as the first Indian woman to win two para-athletic (bronze) medals in the Women’s 100m and 200m T-35 event. Rubina Francis bagged a bronze in the P2 women’s 10m air pistol SH-1 final. Athlete Nishad Kumar won a silver medal in the men’s high jump T47 event. World champion Sachin Khilari won the silver in men’s shot put.
And the list goes on. Imagine the number of stories behind these triumphs. The joyous caregivers behind some of the victories. The silent struggles from hopelessness to exuberance. Where are these missing accounts? The most I could spot was a headline ‘Ma hai toh mumkin hai’ in mainstream media, ensuing the social media post by Sheetal Devi expressing gratitude for her mother.
In contrast, the dailies were full of narratives around Manu Bhaker when she won the bronze at the Paris Olympics. There’s coverage around her views on gender pay parity, Bhagvad Gita, her devout Hindusim and what not. There’s no taking away from her journey, struggle and triumphs. Likewise for Vinesh Phogat. But when it comes to Paralympians, journalists peddle only wide-eyed amazement for our inspiring divyangjan!
No real news, no hard questions. No exposés on crippling infrastructure. No investigative pieces on funding contrariety.
What sums it up aptly is a post by India Today journalist Shiv Aroor on X.
The sad truth.#Paralympics pic.twitter.com/L8T5rSgaGO
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 2, 2024
It reads: ‘The sad truth. #Paralympics.’ Below the tweet, there is an image that highlights the disparity in media coverage between the Olympics and the Paralympics. The contrast in text size and placement implies that news about Olympic failures receives significantly more attention than news about Paralympic successes.
That’s the reality of India, today. We have space for coverage of losses and no room to celebrate and acknowledge the grit and excellence of disabled champions. Barring a few exceptions like The Indian Express which gave decent accounts of the journeys of these champions. Their reportage went beyond medal tally and the day’s game.
Another media channel, Much Much Spectrum has been consistent with their handling of news from Paralympics. They shared short and effective profiles of the para champions, alongside sporting updates, bringing out their tenacity without shying away from the disability. It isn’t your usual inspirational porn. They even published some candid posts highlighting the disparity meted out to Paralympics.
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Of course, one cannot forget to mention Prime Minister Modi’s (cheesy) telephone call to the medal winners which was relayed and replayed on various channels. The question that remains to be answered is what difference will this record-breaking performance at the Summer Paralympics make to the state of infrastructure, encouragement, budget, training, recognition and dignity offered to disabled sportspersons in the country. Or does it all end at a mere tweet by the Indian supremo saying he is proud and delighted?