India’s first Paralympics gold medalist Murlikant Petkar felicitated

Pune, December 4, 2023:India’s first-ever Paralympics gold medalist Padma Shri awardee Murlikant Petkar was felicitated in a function on Sunday on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of him winning the gold in the 1972 Paralympics in Heidelberg, Germany.

The felicitation programme was organised by The Sport Climbing Association of Maharashtra, in collaboration with the Event Organising Committee.

Petkar, who was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2018, was felicitated at the hands of Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, GOC-IN-C, the Southern Command.
“Being an army personnel, I believe that the Indian army is your army and you should be proud of it. The Indian army has contributed to all walks of Indian society including sports and it is something that I am proud of,” said Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh.

“The exemplary achievements of Pekar are an inspiration to all of us and the determination and perseverance shown by him is something everyone should look up to,” Singh said before underlining the importance of the Southern Command.

Petkar, who was an athlete during his service was wounded in the 1965 India-Pakistan war and continued his journey as a Para-athlete and won seven international medals in swimming. Along with that, he also competed in javelin, precision javelin throw and slalom disciples.

During the function, the gold medal won by Petkar with a world record of world record of 37.33 seconds in 50m freestyle swimming was put on display. A small documentary based on the life of Petkar, who was Maharashtra’s first Para athlete to receive the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Award, was also screened.

Prajakta Ghodke, treasurer of the Sport Climbing Association of Maharashtra read out the congratulatory letter sent to Petkar by Ramesh Bais, Hon Governor of Maharashtra.

The replica of the medal was presented to Lt. Gen. Ajai Kumar Sing AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Command, Maj. Gen. RS Sundaram SM, VSM, MG EME of Southern Command, Brig. S. Taluja, Shri. Sudhir More, Col. Bhargav (Retd), Mr. Sandhu, Vice President, IMF, Dr. Milind Madhav Kasbekar, and Shri. Raj Ji Choudhari and Shrimati Shakuntala Khatavkar.

Brig MP Yadav (Retd), president of the The Sport Climbing Association of Maharashtra congratulated Petkar on his glorious achievements in his vote of thanks.