NDTV Indian Of The Year: "It Took Me 33 Years To Prove Myself," Says Para-Athlete Suvarna Raj

Para-athlete Suvarna Raj, who has represented the country in global events, said that it took her 33 years to prove herself. Suvarna won two medals in the 2014 Asian Para Games in Korea while also clinching two medals at the Thailand Para Table Tennis Open in 2013. The star athlete spoke her heart at NDTV Indian Of The Year 2024 award ceremony in New Delhi on Saturday. She said in the program that she had become a victim of polio at the age of two years. In such a situation, it became a responsibility for the parents right from childhood to look after her, Raj added.

She further said that when she was 33 years old, she was honored by the national award from President of India and then her parents were very happy. The star athlete said that the society looks at disabled people differently.

"I was two years old when I got diagnosed with polio. It was tough for my family to accept it. If one of the four children gets on wheel chair, the family also gets mentally disabled. It took me 33 years to prove myself," said Raj.

Meanwhile, the Indian women's cricket team received the 'Sports Performance Of The Year' award at the NDTV Indian Of The Year 2024 award ceremony held.

The team was represented by Shreyanka Patil, Shafali Verma, Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav. They were presented the award by tennis icon Sania Mirza.

Shreyanka spoke about the change that women's cricket has seen in India over the past few years and thanked the BCCI for their support when it comes to opportunities and finances.