New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday conferred the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian award, to India's ace badminton player PV Sindhu.
President Kovind presented the Padma Awards 2020 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
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"It is a proud moment. I am very thankful to the Government of India, all of the ministers and President sir for giving me this award. I am very very happy, these kinds of awards give us a lot of encouragement, support and motivation to do much better in the coming future," PV Sindhu told ANI after receiving the Padma Bhushan award.
"Definitely I would work hard and give my best. I have some upcoming tournaments, so I hope I do well and give my best in them," she added.
Sindhu has already been the recipient of Padam Shri in 2015, India's fourth-highest civilian award and highest sporting honour of India, Khel Ratna award in 2016.