AP skater Jessy Raj receives PM’s ‘Bala Puraskar’

International skater Matrapu Jessy Raj, hailing from Mangalagiri in Guntur district, has been honoured with the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bala Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu. The award ceremony took place on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.
Jessy Raj, a Class 9 student of NSM Public School, Vijayawada, recently won a gold medal at the World Artistic Skating Championship in New Zealand, representing India. Her stellar achievement earned her this national recognition for 2025.
Encouraged by Minister for Human Resources and IT Nara Lokesh, Jessy applied for the award from the Guntur district. Jessy, the daughter of Suresh and Radha, is the only sportsperson selected for the award out of five children who applied for it from Andhra Pradesh,
Post the ceremony, Jessy interacted with President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised her remarkable talent and encouraged her to pursue her passion.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Jessy expressed her joy, describing the honour and her interactions with the President and Prime Minister as unforgettable moments.