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WHAT STUDENTS CAN LEARN FROM PARALYMPICS

The Paralympics, a periodic series of be changed to see big events
international multisport events involving athletes with a as opportunities rather than
range of disabilities. There are many ways to appreciate threats.
this disability focussed version of the Olympics and
supposedly many different lessons to draw from them. 2. MENTAL TOUGHNESS
21st century skills that include adaptability, - They have high level of
communication, collaboration, empathy, integrity, motivation, being able to cope
learners’ mindset, problem solving can be learnt by our with setbacks and being focused
Gen Z and Gen Alpha through the remarkable success of on goals. These skills are vital. Neha Jain
Indian contingent at the Paris Paralympic games The ability to stay motivated W/o SI (Min) Santosh Chand Kothari
VS Wing, Dte. Genl. CRPF
The Paralympic don’t exist only to teach us and confident over a long
lessons or uplifts our hearts. But there are valid and period of time is critical.
valuable lessons we can draw from them. Beyond the
podium finishes, all athletes who participated deserve 3. VIGOUR- It means having high levels of
to be celebrated because each one’s is a story of energy efforts and drive. Student should be informed
incredible resilience and sportsperson spirit. They have that now doing well in the current task will help them
surmounted serious challenges to push the boundaries to develop important skills, improve performance
set by a society that continues to be largely ableist by in their other subjects and make progress towards
default. future plan.
Sheetal Devi- first and only female international
Para archery champion without upper limbs. She 4. OPTIMIST- It is measured by how someone
became the youngest person to compete in women’s perceives their success or failures. Optimistic students
para-archery at 2024 summer Paralympics. are more motivated and coping more effectively with
Silver medallist, Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, only academic transitions.
Indian para-badminton player to win back-to- back
medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, an IAS 5. CONTROL- Athletes talk about being process
who breaks stereotypes and shows academic as well as focussed; they concentrate on what they can control,
sporty excellence achievable. He became the first Indian which usually means their strategies, routines and
bureaucrat to win a professional International Badminton performances.
Championship. Students can take a similar approach
High jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu became by focusing their efforts on “controlling the
the first Indian to win medals at three consecutive controllables”. By learning from these remarkable
Paralympics overcoming all his odds, raised by a single athletes, students can develop a strong work ethic,
mother who worked as a labourer and the list goes resilience, and a growth mindset, applying the
on shooter Avani Lekhara, javelin ace Sumit Antil, high lesson to their own lives and pursuits. By focussing
jumper Praveen Kumar, Club throw medallist Dharambir on what they need to do and not on the potential
and Pranav Soorma, Preethi Pal, not to forget swimmer consequences, they can build confidence while
Murlikant Petkar and many more. reducing fear of failure.
As they were preparing, they were not just facing
a physical test, but a mental one. Here is what students
can learn from them-

1. 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