National Sports Awards are conferred upon athletes who show exceptional talent and win laurels all over the world for their grit and performance. And this year, for the first time in the history of India, four athletes were awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honour.
Sakshi Malik, P.V. Sindhu, Dipa Karmakar, and Jitu Rai were awarded the Khel Ratna for their exceptional performances at the Rio Olympics 2016.
Congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. pic.twitter.com/Ng6GaLBOxG
— Vinesh Kataria (@VineshKataria) August 29, 2016
Heartiest Congratulations to @SakshiMalik for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award !!
Our best wishes are always with you. pic.twitter.com/waZolZXtZ4— Prasar Bharati (@prasarbharati) August 29, 2016
Dipa Karmakar received KhelRatna Award from President of India #NationalSportsday pic.twitter.com/oufqOCTlcw
— Oneindia Tamil (@thatsTamil) August 29, 2016
P.V. Sindhu for her silver in Women’s Singles Badminton, Dipa Karmakar for her performance in gymnastics, Sakshi Malik for her bronze in Women’s Wrestling, and Jitu Rai for his performance in shooting, were all awarded with a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹ 7.5 lakh each by President Pranab Mukherjee.
All the awardees met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the event for a photographic session, and Modi took to Twitter to congratulate each one of them seperately.
With our Khel Ratnas. pic.twitter.com/pSGXOMGeZz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2016
Delighted to meet you @Pvsindhu1. Every Indian is so proud of what you accomplished. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/DfeAiCt6m6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2016
Congrats @DipaKarmakar. You have won the nation’s hearts. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/vYlMYoqBX3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2016
Meeting the skilled, talented & determined @JituRai was wonderful. Best wishes for his future endeavours. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/IoWBgsSndo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2016
You are an inspiration for so many people @SakshiMalik. Keep making us proud with your achievements. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/aguBH7RhCg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2016
A funny incident happened when Sakshi Malik went up to meet with the PM. Modi asked her, “Maarogi toh nahi?” to which Sakshi replied that she’s wrestler only on the mat, otherwise she’s just any other average Indian girl.
At the ceremony, 18 athletes were also awarded the Arjuna Awards.
News sources: Hindustan Times, India Today