Dr Mansukh Mandaviya felicitates CWG 2026 bronze medal-winner powerlifter Jhandu Kumar

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, who won India’s first medal in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, at his residence on Monday. Jhandu won bronze in the men’s heavyweight category with a best lift of 190kg.

Dr Mandaviya handed INR 10 Lakh as cash award to Jhandu, who comes from a humble background in Nalanda district in Bihar. Talking about his experience of meeting the Union Sports Minister, the powerlifter said: “I felt privileged to meet the Union Sports Minister today. How many people get to meet a central minister in their lifetime. I never wondered that I will be felicitated for my achievement in sports. Dr Mandaviya asked me about my experience in Scotland. It was a great feeling to interact with him.”

Jhandu sold vegetables and even rode an e-rickshaw to support his family in Harnaut town of Nalanda before being selected by chief para coach Rajender Rahelu to train at SAI NCOE Gandhinagar back in June 2023. 

He said that when Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted about his achievement on social media, it gave him goosebumps. “I have not had much sleep since the time I have won a medal, due to the excitement and adrenaline rush. My phone has been buzzing throughout. I was overwhelmed when our Hon’ble PM wrote about me on social media. I think Indian sports has reached this level all thanks to his continuous encouragement and support for athletes. I think I was the only CWG medallist who received encouragement from his country’s Prime Minister,” the 29-year-old said.