PV Sindhu, a name that has now become the nation’s pride has not just won silver at the Olympics but has won the hearts of millions across the country. Athletics run in her genes, coming from a parentage of volleyball veterans. But the champion was passionate towards badminton and started playing at the age of eight. “She showed passion for badminton when she first held the racket at a very young age. Since then she has not looked back,” says her proud father PV Ramana. She made history by being the first Indian to enter women’s Badminton singles finals in the Rio Olympics 2016. The country cheered for her when she won the quarter finals and was officially a top 4 contender. After defeating Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in the nail-biting semi-finals match, the nation was full of joy and pride as she guaranteed a medal. At the finals, Sindhu faced World No 1, Carolina Marin in another gripping match which earned us the silver. She earned a BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Rank in badminton this year, being the first Indian to win consecutive medals in the World Badminton Championships. The young woman holds pride in being the youngest recipient of Indian’s fourth highest civilian honor, the’ Padma Shri’.