Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on 22 October 2026 congratulated para badminton player Manisha Ramadass on winning a bronze medal at the fifth Asian Para Games in Japan and announced a ₹30 lakh cash incentive from the state government in recognition of her achievement. The reward underscores Tamil Nadu's growing commitment to honouring para-sporting excellence at the continental level.

The Medal-Winning Performance

Manisha Ramadass claimed bronze in the Mixed Doubles SL3–SU5 event, partnering Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat at the Asian Para Games 2026. The pair reached the podium after a hard-fought semifinal against Indonesia's Lani Ratri Oktila and Jikmat Ramdani. The result adds to India's para badminton credentials on the Asian stage and gives Tamil Nadu its latest medal moment at a major multi-sport event.

What the Chief Minister Said

Posting on his official X account, Chief Minister Vijay extended congratulations to the broader Indian team while singling out Manisha for particular praise. 'My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Indian team and Tamil Nadu's Manisha Ramadass for winning the bronze medal in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 badminton event at the fifth Asian Para Games being held in Japan,' he said.

Vijay described her achievement as a reflection of 'perseverance and hard work,' adding that her success would inspire a younger generation of para athletes to pursue competitive sport with confidence and determination. He expressed hope that she would continue to bring laurels to both Tamil Nadu and India in the years ahead.

The ₹30 Lakh Incentive

The Chief Minister announced that the Tamil Nadu government would provide ₹30 lakh as a financial incentive to honour Manisha's medal-winning performance. The announcement places official state recognition alongside the personal appreciation Vijay conveyed in his message, signalling that the government views para-sport achievements as deserving of the same institutional support accorded to other competitive disciplines.

Broader Significance for Para Sport

This comes amid a wider national push to elevate para athletes' profiles following India's strong showing at the Paris Paralympics 2024, where the country recorded its best-ever medal haul. Manisha's bronze at the fifth Asian Para Games continues that momentum at the continental level. Notably, state-level cash rewards for para athletes — once rare — have become more frequent in recent years, reflecting a gradual shift in how governments recognise disability sport. The Tamil Nadu announcement is likely to add pressure on other state governments to formalise similar incentive structures for their para athletes.

Vijay concluded his message by conveying best wishes for Manisha's future competitions and expressing confidence that she would build on this achievement, inspiring young sportspersons across the state to take up competitive para sport.