Para-athlete Suvarna Raj expressed gratitude to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu for her selection.
Para-athlete Suvarna Raj expressed gratitude to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor (LG) Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday for announcing her appointment as the Delhi State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. According to ANI, the announcement followed her gold medal win in the women's discus throw F54 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
The selection was finalised by LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu from a panel of three candidates recommended by a Search-cum-Selection Committee. The LG made the decision after reviewing the committee's meeting minutes and candidate records.
Speaking to ANI after an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Raj said she aims to create new opportunities for persons with disabilities. She noted that while she has not yet received an appointment letter, she wants to use the next three years to open new doors for the community.
Raj also described her meeting with Prime Minister Modi at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex as an encouraging experience. She said the Prime Minister's support strengthens the willpower of athletes.
The Prime Minister interacted with the Indian contingent from the Asian Para Games 2026, where India secured fourth place with 114 medals in Aichi-Nagoya. Raj expressed confidence that India will aim to move from fourth to first position at the games within the next 10 years.
