Devendra Jhajharia, the first differently-abled Indian to win a gold at the Para Athletics World Championships, will be handed a special cash reward of Rs five lakh by the Railways for his feat in the recently-held sixth edition of the event in Lyon, France.

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge announced the special reward for Jhajharia while declaring open the 79th Railways Athletics Championships in Delhi on Monday.

Jhajharia had won gold in javelin throw in F-46 category — meant for one-armed athletes — on July 21 in the sixth Para Athletics World Championships.

'It’s a great honour for me as the announcement came from the Railway Minister himself. It’s great gesture from the Railways. It will instil confidence among the para-athletes to bring laurels for the country,' Jhajharia told PTI.