Rajyavardhan Rathore: The Union Minister Who Won an Olympic Medal

Rathore won India’s first individual silver medal in over a century.

Rajyavardhan Rathore, MoS, I&B. (Photo: Yogen Shah) 

Lt Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was one of the few double trap shooters that India produced. Nonetheless, he was one of the finest in the sport which he proved by winning a silver medal at Athens in 2004 Olympics.

Even if one considers Norman Pritchard an Indian athlete, Rathore was the first Indian in over a century to win an individual silver at the Olympics. He also has three golds at Commonwealth Games – two in Manchester (2002) and one in Melbourne (2006).

For his achievements, he was awarded a Padma Shri (2005), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2005) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by Indian Army.

He later took retirement from the Army and became a politician. He joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He contested Lok Sabha election from Bikaner in 2014 and won. He is currently the Minister of State for Information and Broadcast Ministry.

Video Editor: Sashant Kumar