After awarding its Gold Medal winning Olympian student Neeraj Chopra and other medallists, Lovely Professional University has honoured its Silver Medal-winning Paralympian student Nishad Kumar of Class BA Physical Education and Bronze medal-winning Olympian student Bajrang Punia of BPEd. programme, today. The occasion was the second edition of honouring ceremony organized at the Shanti Devi Mittal auditorium for the Tokyo Paralympics’ athlete and Olympics’ wrestling medal-winning students. Up till now, LPU has awarded its 13 Medallist students of Tokyo Olympics, out of 14 participants, with cash awards of above Rs 2 Crores.
In the ceremony at the campus, while Nishad Kumar was awarded Rs 25 lakhs for winning silver in High Jump at Paralympics, Bajrang Punia received Rs 10 Lakhs for winning Bronze in wrestling at Olympics. It is a matter of great pride that LPU’s Paralympian athlete is part of India’s that team of para-athletes which has created history by grabbing the best ever 19 medals for the country including five gold medals for the first time. Similarly, LPU Olympian students have won record Olympic medals so far, including the first gold medal by Neeraj Chopra in athletics in a long duration of 121 years of the games.
LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal shares: “We couldn’t see better Olympic games than held at Tokyo this year, where our students created and witnessed history both at Olympics and Paralympics competitions. It is really sending a thrilling sensation to all at LPU to enjoy the illustrious achievement of their students at the campus.”
Sangita Phogat, wrestler and wife of Bajrang Punia also graced the ceremony at LPU campus. All mentors and coaches of the players including Mr Naseer Ahmad. Mr Kripa Shankar Patel, Dr Raj Kumar Sharma, Dr V Kaul and others shared their immense happiness on the record medal-winning by their illustrious sportsmen.
Both the Paralympian and Olympian who received the honour today said in unison, “It is a proud feeling to come back to one’s university after winning medals at the Olympics. LPU and faculty have supported us in every way possible to help achieve our dream of winning an Olympic Medal for India.” Both also assured confidence that the University will produce many more top-quality sportspersons who will win international laurels for India in the future.
Prior to honouring the medallists, a huge celebrative procession was there at the campus amid the rhythms of Dhol and Nagaras. Students and staff members were seen applauding them for their achieving feats of success. LPU also shared its celebrations along with all people of the country by making the honouring ceremony available live through all its social media fronts.
With a Jump of 2.06m high, one arm amputated Nishad Kumar has also created an Asian record along with the medal-winning. Similarly, Olympian Bajrang Punia revealed great tactics of wrestling in his weight category.