Padma Shri a pleasant surprise, says PV Sindhu

New Delhi, Jan 25: Top Indian shuttler PV 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.

IANS