Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore - First Indian to Win Silver Olympic Medal for India

The multitalented Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is an Indian minister, a retired army officer and an Olympic medalist. He is currently the Minister of State for Information and broadcasting. Rathore is also a Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha from Jaipur Rural seat. His journey from joining military in 1990 to becoming I&B Minister is inspiring and worth reading. In this article, we will read life story including controversies and his achievements.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Statistics

• Full Name: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
• Date of birth: 29 January, 1970
• Place of Birth: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
• Age: 51 years
• Profession: Athlete, Politician, Retired Army Officer
• Educational Qualification : B.A., Instructor-Weapons (MMG, AGL, Small Arms), Grading Tactics(YO) Course from The National Defence Academy, Pune and Infantry School, Mhow
• Marital Status: Married
• Spouse: Gayatri Rathore
• Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Early Life

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was born to Retired Colonel Lakshman and Majnu Rathore on 29 January, 1970 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. He had an outstanding career in sports before joining politics. He had keen interest in shooting since childhood so he started refining his skills with more practice.

He was equally passionate about cricket and was also selected in Madhya Pradesh cricket teams but was discouraged by his mom as he was in his 10th standard. On the same standard he was given a scholarship by the School Games Federation.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Personal Life

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was born to Retired Colonel Lakshman and Majnu Rathore on 29 January, 1970 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. His Educational Qualification : B.A., Instructor-Weapons (MMG, AGL, Small Arms), Grading Tactics(YO) Course from The National Defence Academy, Prune and Infantry School, Mhow. He is married to Dr. Gayatri Rathore on 16th February 1997and has two children Manavaditya Singh Rathore and Gauri Rathore.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Education

His Educational Qualification : B.A., Instructor-Weapons (MMG, AGL, Small Arms), Grading Tactics(YO) Course from The National Defence Academy, Prune and Infantry School, Mhow.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Military Career Timeline

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has graduated from the 77th Course of the National Defence Academy. He attended the Indian Military Academy after graduating from the National Defence Academy. Here is his extended career timeline:

• On 15th December 1992 he was promoted to lieutenant
• On 15 December 1995 he was promoted to captain
• On 15 December 2000 he was promoted to major
• He was commissioned in the 9th Grenadiers (Mewar) Regiment on 15th December 1990.
• Before promoting to major he also fought in the Kargil War
• He also served Jammu and Kashmir as a part of his career in Indian Army where he also participated in counter attack operations.
• He was awarded with the Army Chief’s Citation and the Governor of J&K’s Citation for his outstanding work
• He was then promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 16th December, 2004 and to final rank on 1 May 2009

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore - Sports Career

• Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was the first one to gift India its first silver medal in Olympics
• He won a gold medal and had set a new Commonwealth Games Record of 192 targets out of 200 in the year 2002, commonwealth Games in Manchester
• He also won gold medals in two World Shooting Championships, at Sydney in 2004 and Cairo in 2006
• Rathore also won the silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics which was India’s first ever individual silver at the Olympics
• In the year 2006, he also won a bronze medal in the world championship in Spain.
• Between the year 2000 and the year 2006 he won over 25 International Medals at various championships for Double Trap
• In 2011, he participated in the Asian Clay Target Championship in Kuala Lumpur and won his gold. His score was of 194 in that tournament which equals world record

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Political career

After his retirement from the Indian Army, Rathore joined the Bharatya Janta Party on 10th September in the year 2013. He was elected as an MP n the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Jaipur Rural Constituency. Later he became the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting on 9th November 2014. After 3 years he was appointed as the minister of Sports on 3rd September 2017.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Award

• 2005 : Padma Shri
• 2004 Summer Olympics : A silver medal at Men’s Double Trap Shooting
• 2004- 2005 : The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (Highest Sporting Honour of India)
• 2003-2004 : Arjuna award
• Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM), military award for exceptional service, presented by the president of India on behalf of the government of India.
• 1990 :The Sword of Honour (For the Best All Round Officer Cadet at the Indian Military Academy)
• 1990 : The Sikh Regiment Gold Medal
• 1989 : The Blazer (The Highest sports award at the National Defence Academy, Pune, India)

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Controversies

• Women Journalist: In February 2015, his remark on a women journalist created a controversy. He made a comment on the role of women journalist during an interaction at the Indian Women Press Corps. His words included “Your role could be far better utilized without going out in the field. Not that you should not go out. In the sense of safety and security, the working hours, conditions, and different roles attached as a mother, sister or wife”. Later he denied making such remarks.
• Dope Test: In May 13, his name was linked into a failed dope test. In the year 2004 The World Cup in Bangkok he tested positive for the A sample, but ISSF cleared him after the double trap ace resulted negative for his B sample.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – The Multi-Talented Icon of India

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is considered as India’s one of the most progressive icon. He uplifted India’s stature as a sport centric nation with all his efforts and perception. His career as an Army-man, athlete and a politician proves that he fulfilled all his roles with enthusiasm and sincerity.