Sports
Padma Shri a pleasant surprise: P.V. Sindhu
Top Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu was happily surprised when she got to
know that she will be conferred India’s fourth highest civilian honour -
the Padma Shri -- and said the award will only motivate her to do
better in the future.
“It feels really good. I am really happy to
get this award. This will further motivate me to do better and win more
matches and tournaments. My family is also very happy. I really did not
expect this honour and it comes as a very pleasant surprise,†Sindhu
told IANS over the phone from Hyderabad.
Sindhu went back home to
Hyderabad from Lucknow Sunday afternoon where she lost the women’s
singles semi-final to reigning World Champion Carolina Marin of Spain.
The two-time World Championship bronze medallist was a bit sad about not
being able to go the distance.
The 19-year-old Sindhu along
with four others -- hockey players Saba Anjum and Sardar Singh,
cricketer Mithali Raj and amputee mountain climber Arunima Sinha -- were
Sunday named by the Indian government as the five sportspersons who
would be the recipients of the Padma Shri.
Iconic
wrestler-turned-coach Satpal Singh was the only sportsperson to be named
for the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian honour.