CM Dhami Hails Para Athletes' Gold, Silver in Asian Para Games
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated Anjanaben Bumbadia (gold) and Jayanti Behera (silver) for their one-two finish in the women's 400m T47 at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, calling their feat an inspiration for India's women athletes.
Key Takeaways
Anjanaben Bumbadia won the gold medal in the women's 400m T47 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Jayanti Behera claimed the silver medal in the same event, giving India a rare one-two podium finish.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami posted congratulations on 22 October 2026 , calling the achievement a symbol of Indian women's talent and resolve.
The T47 classification covers athletes with an arm or hand impairment.
Dhami expressed hope the performance would inspire women athletes across India in upcoming competitions.
Two Indian women para athletes stepped onto the podium at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was among the first to mark the moment, posting a warm congratulatory message on Thursday night.
Dhami extended his congratulations to Anjanaben Bumbadia, who clinched the gold medal in the women's 400 metres T47 event, and to Jayanti Behera, who secured the silver in the same race. Writing in Hindi, the Chief Minister called their achievement a symbol of 'pratibha, saamarthya aur dridh sankalp' — talent, strength, and steely resolve — of India's women.
A double podium in the T47 sprint
The T47 classification covers athletes with an arm or hand impairment, making the 400 metres a demanding test of explosive speed combined with precise technique. An Indian one-two finish in the event — gold and silver in the same race — is a striking result, with Bumbadia and Behera together turning the track at Aichi-Nagoya into a moment of national pride.
Dhami also noted that their 'outstanding performance will certainly inspire women athletes across the country,' and wished them an 'infinitely bright future' in competitions ahead.
Growing official recognition for para sport
India has fielded para athletes at the Asian Para Games across multiple editions, and the sport has attracted growing official attention at both central and state levels in recent years. Senior political figures routinely acknowledge para athletic achievements in a way that was far less common a decade ago — a shift that athletes and coaches have credited with improving public visibility and, in turn, inspiring the next generation.
For Bumbadia and Behera, the recognition from a sitting Chief Minister adds institutional weight to a personal triumph already written in the record books.
Point of View
Zero controversy, and a values-rich frame around women's empowerment and disability inclusion. For Dhami, aligning Uttarakhand's brand with national athletic success on an international stage is cost-free and politically useful ahead of any domestic calendar. More broadly, the growing frequency of senior political figures publicly acknowledging para sports signals a structural shift in how India's political class treats disability sport — less as charity, more as competitive excellence. Whether that visibility translates into sustained funding and infrastructure for T47-category training programmes remains the real test.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold in women's 400m T47 at Asian Para Games 2026?
Anjanaben Bumbadia won the gold medal in the women's 400 metres T47 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Who won silver in women's 400m T47 at Asian Para Games 2026?
Jayanti Behera won the silver medal in the women's 400 metres T47 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan.
What is the T47 classification in para athletics?
The T47 classification is for para athletes who have an impairment affecting one arm or hand, competing in track running events such as the 400 metres.
Where are the Asian Para Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Para Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Why did CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulate Anjanaben Bumbadia and Jayanti Behera?
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated them for winning gold and silver respectively in the women's 400m T47 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling their achievement an inspiration for women athletes in India.
