Paralympic champ draws Govt attention
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 12 2011: Thangjam Chanulembi Devi, who won three Gold medals in the 3rd National Paralympic Archery Championship held at Ambravati from March 5 to 7 this year, has appealed to the Government of Manipur to give incentive to handicapped players as well so that they could excel in other National level championships.

Speaking at a reception function hosted in her honour by Spastic Society, Manipur at Manipur Press Club here today, Chanulembi said that she would like to see Government of Manipur giving the kind of support and encouragement need for doing well not just in sports but also in other fields.

A resident of Jiribam Ningthembam Leikai, Chanulembi is the daughter of Th Ongbi Prabhasini.

Chanulembi became a physically challenged person, not being able to move around on her own without the help of a wheel chair, after she was paralysed from waist down following consumption of some concoction to cure stone case on October 25, 2007 .

Chanulembi informed that she had not received any assistance from the side of the Government while going to participate in the championship.

She had to arrange the money and spend around Rs 6,000 for the championship.

Even after she returned winning three Gold Medals, the Government has done nothing, she complained.

Expressing happiness over the Gold medal winning performance of her daughter, Prabhasini said, "I feel proud that my daughter has won three Gold medals in a National Championship despite the fact that she cannot do anything without the help of somebody or the wheel-chair.

At one time, she dared not venture out of the house and cried all the time.

But today, she has made all of us proud and happy" .

Chanulembi is currently studying in BA 2nd year under IGNOU Centre at Jiribam Higher Secondary School.

Apart from her three Gold medal winning feats, in the same championship, two other handicapped players namely Bachaspatimayum Meneka d/o B Tombi Devi of Nahabam Bamon Leikai and Salam Luwanglakpa Meetei s/o Nandeibam Leikai also added to the medal tally of Manipur team.

Meneka won two Gold medals and one Silver medal while Luwanglakpa won one Silver and one Bronze medal.

Organised under the aegis of Paralympic Archery Federation of India, which is affiliated to Paralympic Committee of India, the 3rd National Paralympic Archery Championship was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ambravati.

At the reception today, another handicapped player identified as Irengbam Ranjit Singh s/o Irengbam Merajao of Moirang Shribon Leikai, who won a Bronze medal in the last edition of National Paralympic Archery Championship, was also honoured.

Secretary of Spastic Society of Manipur Ricky, who was also present at the reception, observed that handicapped persons excelled themselves like any normal persons in various fields like sports, arts and culture and they need the same kind of support with regard to education, health and nutrition.

But it is unfortunate that the Government has not given any support to them even after winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in National level championships bringing laurels to the State, Ricky lamented, adding that they should also be given Government job and financial assistance.

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