Summer Paralympic Games 2016 kicked off in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro late last night with a colorful opening ceremony at the Maracana stadium. The rhythms of samba singers set the atmosphere in front of a packed stadium. The samba beats were followed by a giant projection of Brazil's Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias, and a carnivalesque reproduction of a Rio beach scene. The world's most competitive differently-abled also paraded ahead of 11 days of contests.International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven said, these are going to be the people's Games. He said, over 4,300 athletes from 159 countries plus members of the international refugee team were taking part in the games. Mr Craven said, the Paralympics, which will be broadcast in 154 countries, had the power to change the way people around the world think about the differently-abled.India is fielding its largest-ever contingent of 19 athletes who will feature in 10 disciplines.The Sports Ministry has announced that the Gold medallist Paralympians will be awarded 75 lakh rupees. Silver medallists will get 50 lakh rupees and bronze medallists 30 lakhs.