24/10/2024
Meet Mona Agarwal, a para-athlete who has overcome immense personal and physical challenges to achieve incredible success in sports. Mona’s journey began in Sikar, Rajasthan, where she contracted polio as an infant, leaving her lower limbs paralyzed. Raised by her maternal grandparents, Mona faced numerous obstacles, from societal stigma to financial constraints. However, her indomitable spirit drove her to excel in various para sports, including javelin, shot put, and later para-shooting, where she found her true passion.
In 2024, Mona secured a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Paris Paralympics, marking a historic moment for India. Her path to success wasn’t easy. From training under financial duress to balancing family life with her passion, Mona had to fight every step of the way. Her achievements are a testament to her determination and the support from her coach, Yogesh Sikhawat, who waived his fees, and friends who funded her equipment.
In this episode, host Danish Mahajan of Radio Udaan explores Mona’s journey, the challenges she faced, and her mission to inspire others to take up para sports. We discuss the need for better governmental support and the importance of creating more opportunities for para-athletes in India.
Listen to her inspiring story here: [YouTube link]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTLY-AuoviM
Tags: PCI, Sports Minister, Mona Agarwal, Yogesh Sikhawat, Eklavya Shooting Academy, para-shooting, Paralympics, Rajasthan Netraheen Kalyan Sangh - RNKSDepartment of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MSJERajesh AggarwalSuprava Dash
Join Danish Mahajan as he interviews Mona Agarwal, a Paralympic medalist, on Radio Udaan. In this compelling conversation, Mona shares her incredible journey...