Odisha CM Majhi Hails Parmod Bijarnia's Silver at Asian Para Games
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A para-athlete's silver medal on the track just earned a shout-out from the top of Odisha's government. Parmod Bijarnia claimed a silver medal in the Men's 1500m at the #AsianParaGames2026, and the Chief Minister's Office of Odisha wasted no time in marking the moment — Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi personally extended his congratulations on Friday, 23 October 2026.
CM Majhi's message praised Bijarnia's 'determination, endurance and fighting spirit on the track,' calling them 'truly commendable' and wishing the athlete 'continued success and many more achievements in his sporting journey.' The public acknowledgement from the Chief Minister's Office signals how seriously state leadership is tracking para-sport performances at the continental stage.
Bijarnia's silver and what it took
The 1500m is among the most gruelling distances in para-athletics — a tactical race that rewards both raw speed and the capacity to endure. Bijarnia's silver at the Asian Para Games 2026 places him among Asia's elite middle-distance para-runners. The Asian Para Games, held every four years for athletes with impairments across the continent, has seen India build a consistent presence since its debut at the 2010 Guangzhou edition.
Odisha's growing voice in para-sport recognition
Under CM Majhi, who has helmed Odisha since June 2024, the state's official channels have made a habit of amplifying individual sporting achievements — a practice that has grown hand-in-hand with India's expanding medal tallies at recent para-games editions. Publicly naming an athlete and describing the specific qualities — endurance, determination, fighting spirit — sends a signal well beyond the medal podium: it tells young para-athletes across the state that their effort is visible and valued.
What to watch now: whether the state follows this congratulation with a formal cash award or structured training support for Bijarnia, steps that several Indian states have institutionalised to back their para-sport champions.