Rs 12 lakh prize for para-athlete Jayanti Behera

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced a cash award of Rs 12 lakh for junior para-athlete Jayanti Behera who won two medals at recently-concluded World Para Athletics Junior Cha-mpionships in Nottwil, Switzerland. The CM announced this at the state secretariat while felicitating Jayanti.

Sports and youth services minister Chandra Sarathi Behera was also present on the occasion. The 17-year-old won a gold medal in the 400 metres as well as silver in the 200, clocking a time of 28.04 seconds. She bettered her silver medal by defeating the 200 metres champion, Chile's Cerna Amanda in the 400 race, with her personal best timing of 1:01.37 minutes.

Jayanti would be felicitated on August 29 on the occasion of National Sports Day for bringing laurels to the state at the four-day event which concluded on August 6. The talented athlete on Thursday returned to the capital city to a rousing welcome. Hailing from a poor family, Ms Behera braved all odds to rise to such heights. Bishnu Prasad Mishra had first spotted her six years ago and since then he has been training her. She is the youngest among five siblings.