PM, Tendulkar laud 'phenomenal, inspirational' Deepa Malik

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sporting icons Sachin Tendulkar and Abhinav Bindra, India showered accolades on Deepa Malik, who created history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman to win a medal at the Paralympics.

Deepa bagged a silver in the shotput F-53 event at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games.

"Well done @DeepaAthlete! Your silver at the #Paralympics makes the nation very proud. Congratulations. #Rio2016," the PM wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Cricket legend Tendulkar called her achievement phenomenal.

"Many Congratulations @DeepaAthlete for your phenomenal performance at the #paralympics.. Here's to many more victories!"

Thank you & congrats #DeepaMalik for reminding us how fortunate we are to be cheering for inspirations like you,” tweeted former India cricketer Virender Sehwag.

India's lone individual Olympic gold medallist Bindra aid she is an inspiration.

"Many many congratulations @DeepaAthlete. You are an inspiration to india ! Congrats also to @GoSportsVoices," Bindra wrote.

Olympic silver medallist and now a union minister, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore wrote, "Congratulations @DeepaAthlete ! for the #Silver medal.. Great performance. Well done #Rio2016."

2008 Beijing Games bronze medal-winning boxer Vijender Singh wrote, "Congrats #DeepaMalik for silver medal in #ParalympicsRio2016."

Badminton ace Saina Nehwal lauded Deepa's feat, "Congratulations #DeepaMalik #silver medal."

London Olympics bronze winning wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt said, "Congratulations to @DeepaAthlete for silver medal at #Paralympics #Rio2016."

Congress President Sonia Gandhi congratulated Deepa for winning the silver medal.

Gandhi said she is elated and this achievement is epoch-making and brings tremendous glory to the country. Awestruck by Malik's brilliant story of courage and perseverance, Gandhi wished her great success with her life and games.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel tweeted, "Congrats to .@DeepaAthlete as she becomes #India's first ever female #Paralympics medallist, wins silver in Women's F-53 Shot Put final."

India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane said, "Congratulations Deepa Malik for winning the silver medal. Many more to come."

Shooter Heena Sidhu said, "Another silver medal for India.... Deepa Malik. Its strange we had Sakshi Malik and Deepa karmakar, now v have a new champ, Deepa Malik!

Hockey India said, "Join Hockey India in congratulating @DeepaAthlete for her Silver Medal in Shot Put - F53 at #Rio2016 #Paralympics!

BCCI wrote on its Twitter handle, "Congratulations Deepa Malik on winning #Silver in women’s shotput-F53 event. 1st Indian woman #Paralympics medallist."

Meanwhile, Sports Minister Goel said he has personally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet and bless the entire Indian contingent currently participating at Paralympics once they return home after the Games.

The Sports Ministry has already announced a cash prize of Rs 75 lakhs, Rs 50 lakhs and Rs 30 lakhs respectively for gold, silver and bronze medal winners at the ongoing Paralympics.

IMAGE: Deepa Malik

Photograph: Virender Sehwag/Twitter