Olympians Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil get free airline tickets for a year

IndiGo on Tuesday announced that the airlines will offer unlimited free tickets for one year to Tokyo Paralympics gold medal winner Avani Lekhara and Sumit Antil. 

In a statement, the airlines said, “This comes in recognition of Avani Lekhara winning a gold medal in the women”s 10m air rifle standing event at the Tokyo Paralympics.”

Sumit Antil won his gold medal in the men’s javelin event with a world record throw of 68.55 metres.

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The statement further said that the unlimited free tickets would be available to the two athletes on both domestic and international routes, starting September 1, 2021, till August 31 next year.

Ronojoy Dutta, the whole-time director and chief executive officer of IndiGo said, “All of us at IndiGo are extremely proud of you both – Avani and Sumit. You have demonstrated grit, courage, and resilience – we know it’s not been easy.” 

“You have made the country proud, and with all humility we would like to offer you both free flights on IndiGo for a year,” he stated.

History was scripted more than once as India’s Paralympians recorded their best ever Games medal haul on just the sixth day of competitions, making it a memorable Monday for the country.

Javelin thrower Sumit Antil (23) and shooter Avani Lekhara (19) shone the brightest with their epoch-making gold medals and there was a silver each for the 40-year-old veteran Devendra Jhajharia (javelin) and Yogesh Kathuniya (discus), along with a bronze for Sundar Singh Gurjar (javelin).

To put the performance into perspective, it is worth mentioning that India have so far won 14 medals in the history of Paralympics.