Paralympic gold medallist and Padma Shri awardee Praveen Kumar has revealed plans to construct a hospital in Jewar, near the upcoming international airport, with an estimated outlay of ₹20–30 crore — a project rooted in a promise he made to his father after winning silver at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. The para high jumper aims to complete the facility by 2028, the same year he is targeting a return to the Paralympic stage in Los Angeles.

A Father's Dream, A Son's Promise

Praveen opened up about the moment his father shared the vision during a deeply personal conversation following the Tokyo Paralympics. 'He told me that I have a dream to build a hospital. I didn't think where will I get the money. 20-25 crores is easy. I said, okay, I will do it. This is what came out of my mouth,' Praveen recalled, speaking on an upcoming episode of the Quest Talk podcast by iQOO.

The athlete said the hospital is intended to serve patients in the region without resource gaps. 'Once the patient goes inside, he won't be told that he doesn't have this. Everything will be fine,' he said.

Family Sacrifices Behind the Gold

Praveen's disclosures paint a picture of quiet, persistent sacrifice by his family throughout his sporting career. He revealed that his parents borrowed money to fund his training but deliberately shielded him from the financial strain. 'They said, okay, son, we have money. But they didn't let me feel that we have taken this money on interest,' he said.

He only learned the extent of his father's financial difficulties after winning silver at the Junior World Championships in Switzerland in 2019 — his first major international medal, which came with a prize of ₹5 lakh. 'I came to know that my father had a loan of 4 lakh something. So I took that 5 lakh and gave it to my father,' Praveen said. His father, he recalled, was taken aback. 'My father was like, where did you get this from?'

Work Already Under Way in Jewar

Praveen confirmed that the hospital project is no longer just an aspiration — groundwork has begun. 'I have started the work. Documents are complete. I think the first floor is going to be built. We are working in Jewar, near the airport. So this 20-25 crores outlay, maybe 30 crores,' he said.

The Jewar location, in Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, is strategically positioned near the Noida International Airport, a region that has seen rapid infrastructure development in recent years. Praveen's project would add a healthcare dimension to an area currently dominated by logistics and real estate activity.

The 2028 Target: Paralympics and a Hospital

Praveen, who claimed Paralympic gold in the T64 high jump at the Paris 2024 Games, is simultaneously preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics. He has set himself the same deadline — 2028 — for both athletic and personal milestones. 'I will complete it by 2028,' he said.

His father's words from that post-Tokyo conversation continue to drive him. 'My father had a dream from above. But he couldn't open it. I am trying to complete this dream completely so that he is happy,' Praveen said. As India's para-athletics community grows in stature, Praveen's story underscores how its champions are channelling their success into lasting community impact beyond the medal podium.