Page 65 - Sanidhya 2024

WHAT STUDENTS CAN LEARN FROM PARALYMPICS

The Paralympics, a periodic series of see big events as opportunities
international multisport events involving athletes with a rather than threats.
range of disabilities. There are many ways to appreciate
this disability focussed version of the Olympics and MENTAL TOUGHNESS - They
supposedly many different lessons to draw from them. have high level of motivation,
21st century skills that include adaptability, being able to cope with
communication, collaboration, empathy, integrity, setbacks and being focused on
learners’ mindset, problem solving can be learnt by our goals. These skills are vital. The
Gen Z and Gen Alpha through the remarkable success of ability to stay motivated and Neha Jain
Indian contingent at the Paris Paralympic games. confident over a long period W/o SI (Min) Santosh Chand Kothari
VS Wing, Dte. Genl. CRPF
The Paralympic don’t exist only to teach us of time is critical.
lessons or uplifts our hearts. But there are valid and
valuable lessons we can draw from them. Beyond the VIGOUR- It means having high levels of energy efforts
podium finishes, all athletes who participated deserve and drive. Student should be informed that now doing
to be celebrated because each one’s is a story of well in the current task will help them to develop
incredible resilience and sportsperson spirit. They have important skills, improve performance in their other
surmounted serious challenges to push the boundaries subjects and make progress towards future plan.
set by a society that continues to be largely ableist by
default. OPTIMIST- It is measured by how someone perceives
Sheetal Devi- first and only female international their success or failures. Optimistic students are more
Para archery champion without upper limbs. She motivated and coping more effectively with academic
became the youngest person to compete in women’s transitions.
para-archery at 2024 summer Paralympics.
Silver medallist, Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, only CONTROL- Athletes talk about being process
Indian para-badminton player to win back-to- back focussed; they concentrate on what they can control,
medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, an IAS which usually means their strategies, routines and
who breaks stereotypes and shows academic as well as performances.
sporty excellence achievable. He became the first Indian Students can take a similar approach
bureaucrat to win a professional International Badminton by focusing their efforts on “controlling the
Championship. controllables”. By learning from these remarkable
High jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu became athletes, students can develop a strong work ethic,
the first Indian to win medals at three consecutive resilience, and a growth mindset, applying the
Paralympics overcoming all his odds, raised by a single lesson to their own lives and pursuits. By focussing
mother who worked as a labourer and the list goes on what they need to do and not on the potential
on shooter Avani Lekhara, javelin ace Sumit Antil, high consequences, they can build confidence while
jumper Praveen Kumar, Club throw medallist Dharambir reducing fear of failure.
and Pranav Soorma, Preethi Pal, not to forget swimmer
Murlikant Petkar and many more.
As they were preparing, they were not just facing
a physical test, but a mental one. Here is what students
can learn from them-

SELF REGULATION:- Probably they are less anxious by
nature and are better at handling their nerves. Stress
and anxiety can hinder concentration, so it takes a lot of
self-composure to deliver your best performance when
it matters the most. Mindsets should be changed to

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