Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launches Paralympic theme song

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Tuesday launched the theme song "Kar De Kamaal Tu" for the Indian Paralympic contingent here.

Secretary (Sports) Ravi Mittal, Joint Secretary (Sports) LS Singh, President of Paralympic Committee of India, Deepa Malik, Secretary-General Gursharan Singh, and Chief Patron Avinash Rai Khanna were also virtually present on this occasion.

The song "Kar De Kamaal Tu" is composed and sung by a Divyang cricket player Sanjeev Singh, who is a resident of Lucknow.

The idea of the Paralympic Committee of India was to get the song composed from the Divyang community as a mark of inclusiveness.

"The lyrics of the song motivate not only the athletes but all the people with any form of disability to never underestimate themselves and what they have in them to create wonders," read an official statement.

Thakur said India is sending its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympic Games in Tokyo - 54 para-sportspersons across nine sports disciplines.

"India will be watching your every move, we will be following your incredible journey at the Games," he said.

"The sheer determination of our Para-Athletes shows their phenomenal human spirit. Remember that when you play for India, you will have 130 crore Indians cheering for you! I am extremely confident that our para- athletes will give their optimum best!"

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Rio 2016 Paralympic Games athletes and has always had a keen interest for the welfare of athletes and focused the government's approach on nurturing talent along with development of sports Infrastructure across the country.

"I would also like to congratulate the Paralympic Committee of India and its President Deepa Malik for ensuring that our athletes are well prepared and receive the best facilities," he added.

Sanjeev Singh, the composer, and singer of the song felt that it was a moment of pride not only for him but for the entire community.

He said that it was actually the accomplishment of Deepa Malik as a player in Rio 2016 Para Games that inspired him to write a poem about her which has taken shape into this Theme Song.

"I just wish that this song inspires para-athletes to do well. They are already winners in their life but a medal will make the entire country take note of them and make the nation proud," he said.

Deepa Malik said the Paralympic movement in India has taken a larger-than-life shape in very short time and para-sports is one of the best ways to do it. Para-sports need to be brought in the mainstream in India.

"This theme song has been composed to boost the morale of Indian Paralympic contingent. We request all Indians to show their support by following the Games and hearing and sharing the theme song," she added.

Many of the athletes have qualified with world record performance which has raised expectations of medals.

( With inputs from ANI )