Pune: Paralympic Champion Murlikant Petkar Inspires NCC Cadets in Pune
Pune, 10th September 2025: The 2 Maharashtra Girls Battalion, NCC Pune hosted India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, Murlikant Petkar, at their Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC), where he shared his remarkable life journey with young cadets. The interaction was organised under the initiative of Commanding Officer Col V. K. Mal.
Petkar, a recipient of the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award, created history at the 1972 Paralympics in Heidelberg, Germany, by winning India’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in swimming. Speaking to the cadets, he recounted his early years in Maharashtra, his service in the Indian Army, the life-altering injuries he sustained, and his eventual rise to international sporting glory.
Emphasising the values of resilience, discipline, and hard work, Petkar drew parallels between the demands of sport and the ethos of the armed forces. His words left a deep impact on the cadets, motivating them to emulate his courage and perseverance.
On behalf of NCC, Brig Arjun Mitra, Group Commander, NCC Group HQ Pune, felicitated Petkar with a memento as a token of appreciation for his inspiring presence.
