A grand function to honour the medal winners belonging to Tamil Nadu at the “Paralympics Paris – 2024” by presenting cash rewards was held at the Lignite Hall, Neyveli on 27.02.25. The NLCIL management, in a demonstration of its commitment towards encouraging excellence in sports activities, decided to honour the four Paralympics Paris-2024 medal winners of Tamil Nadu at a function held in Neyveli. The Paralympics Paris-2024 took place from 28 August to 8 September, 2024 in Paris, featuring 4,400 athletes from around the world. During the sports event, India had achieved the most successful performance in Paralympic history securing a total of 29 medals - seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze. Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, CMD, NLCIL, Saba. Rajendran, MLA, Neyveli, Samir Swarup, Director (HR), NLCIL and AppakannuGovindarajan, CVO, NLCIL participated in the function while Dr M K Vishnu Prasad, MP, Cuddalore, the Chief Guest joined the event through Video-conferencing. The function was also attended by senior officials of NLCIL, officials of the Sports Department of NLCIL, representatives of recognized Trade Unions, SC/ST Welfare Federations, OBC Association, GEA, NGEA, Principals, Headmaster/Headmistress, teachers and students of Neyveli schools. Four Paralympic medalists from Tamil Nadu, viz., Ms. Thulasimathi Murugesan, Silver medal in Women’s Badminton singles, Ms.Manisha Ramadass, Bronze medal in Women’s Badminton Singles,Ms. Nithya Sre Sivan, Bronze medal in Women’s Badminton Singles and Thiru Mariyappan Thangavelu, who won a Bronze medal in Men’s High Jump, were honoured at the glittering function. The cash rewards to our esteemed Paralympic medal winners from Tamil Nadu, Rupees three lakhs to silver medalists and Rupees Two lakhs to bronze medalists were presented from the NLCIL-NTPL CSR Fund.NLCIL is honored to contribute to the growth and recognition of sports in Tamil Nadu through its CSR initiatives.The gesture is a testament to our commitment to recognizing and supporting exceptional talent in the state. The Cash rewards were presented to Ms. Thulasimathi Murugesan and Thiru Mariyappan Thangavelu in person while representatives of Ms. Manisha Ramadass and Ms. Nithya Sre Sivan received the cash rewards on their behalf. The cash rewards were presented by Shri Saba. Rajendran, MLA, Neyveli, the Guest of Honour and Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, CMD, NLCIL, who presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, CMD, NLCIL, appreciated the achievements of the four para-athletes from Tamil Nadu who brought glory to the Nation. He pointed out that the athletes hailed from poor families and achieved this success due to sheer grit and determination. The accomplishments of the athletes would be an inspiration to students of NLCIL to put in committed efforts to achieve the pinnacle of glory in sports. Saba. Rajendran, MLA, in his address, expressed his thanks to NLCIL for honouring the medal winning para-athletes from Tamil Nadu. He emphasized that the State government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had provided the necessary impetus to sports and recalled that financial assistance of nearly 7 crores was provided to the para-athletes and that 82 persons were provided with employment in the government under sports quota. He also made an appeal to CMD, NLCIL to recruit sportspersons under sports quota in NLCIL from among wards of employees and surrounding villages. Dr. Vishnu Prasad, M.P, Cuddalore, speaking on the occasion, praised and thanked NLCIL for its “thoughtful” and “commendable” gesture in organizing this grand event to honour the extraordinary feats of the para-athletes. Appreciating this bold initiative, he said he hoped NLCIL would continue such measures that encouraged the student community. Earlier, Ms. Thulasimathi Murugesan and Mr. MariappanThangavelu, the para-athletes who were honoured, shared their success stories with the students and recalled their early struggles to overcome poverty and physical challenges to reach the pinnacle of glory at the para-olympics. They thanked NLCIL for the encouraging gesture in honouring them. Around 900 students from Neyvelischool actively participated in the program and got motivated by the inspirational speeches of the dignitaries. During the function, prizes were given away to the winners and runners-up of the recently conducted Inter School Sports Meet – 2024 at Neyveli. DVSN Murthy, ED/Legal, CSR and Medical, NLCIL, welcomed the gathering while Prabhakaran, DGM/Education, Sports & Culture, NLCIL, proposed the vote of thanks.