Rio Olympics 2016: India proud of its daughter; President, PM, Sonia heap praise on silver medallist PV Sindhu

New Delhi: India on Friday welcomed with open arms its daughter PV Sindhu, who finally settled for a Silver medal after giving a tough fight to her World No.1 Spanish rival Carolina Marin at the ongoing Olympics games in Rio de Janeiro.

Heaping praise on the ace shuttler, President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and people from across the length and breadth of the country   congratulated PV Sindhu, who clinched a historic silver medal for India.

"Great game played with grit; Hearty congrats #PVSindhu on creating history by winning for India Olympic Silver medal," President Mukherjee tweeted.

Proud moment for India, whole nation rejoices with your family and you #PresidentMukherjee — President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) August 19, 2016

In his congratulatory message, PM Modi said: "Congrats for the Silver @Pvsindhu1. Very well fought. Your accomplishment at #Rio2016 is historic & will be remembered for years."

Congrats for the Silver @Pvsindhu1. Very well fought. Your accomplishment at #Rio2016 is historic & will be remembered for years. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 19, 2016

Calling the silver medal feat as "the most precious jewel in the crown of Mother India", Congress chief Sonia said: "Her silver medal is the most precious jewel in the crown of Mother India today and she has set examples for generation to come."

In a series of tweets, Sports Minister Vijay Goel said: "Well played.@Pvsindhu1 .You have displayed tremendous grit to win #IND #Silver. You have not lost, you have won a Million Hearts #proud."

#PVSindhu you are an inspiration to all young Indian athletes who are hesitant to take up Sports as a profession. pic.twitter.com/8jeYZEiKbw — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) August 19, 2016

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also congratulated the shuttler saying, "Great match P V Sindhu! The first #silver for India at Rio! Very proud! Many congratulations."

Great match P V Sindhu! The first #silver for India at Rio! Very proud! Many congratulations. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 19, 2016

Athens Olympics silver medallist shooter and now junior Minister for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said: "Proud of your fight,your determination to fly Tiranga at #RioOlympics2016 your Silver will pave way for many more Golds #SindhuForGold"

#PVSindhu Proud of you pic.twitter.com/7nu4ihCcnJ — Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 19, 2016

In her message, London Olympics bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom said: "Big CONGRATULATIONS for winning Silver medal. U make our country proud @Pvsindhu@pullelagopicha1ur hard work paid of#proudindian#KheloIndia"

Big CONGRATULATIONS for winning Silver medal. U make our country proud @Pvsindhu@pullelagopicha1ur hard work paid of#proudindian#KheloIndia — Mary Kom (@MangteC) August 19, 2016

Tennis legend Leander Paes also took to Twitter to wish the shuttler: "@Pvsindhu1 you should be very proud of yourself, all of India is!!The way you played & fought hard, true warrior!Congrats #PVSindhu #Silver".

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also took to Twitter to congratulate Sindhu.

(Repeat2right ID) Superb fight from @PVSindhu1.Absolutely no disgrace in playing so well,fighting so hard&losing so nobly. #ProudOfYouSindhu — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 19, 2016

Notably, Southern superstar Rajinikanth also took to Twitter to congratulate Sindhu for winning the Silver medal of India.

Hats off to you #PVSindhu .... I have become a great fan of yours ... Congratulations ! — Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) August 19, 2016

Sindhu settled for the silver after going down 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 to World No.1 Carolina Marin of Spain in the badminton women's singles event.

This is India's first silver medal in badminton. Saina Nehwal won the first medal - bronze - for India in badminton in the 2012 London Olympics.

Announcing cash awards for both Sindhu and her coach Pullela Gopichand, Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta said, "I congratulate her for this historical achievement and bringing laurels for India. This is a huge milestone in Indian Badminton fraternity and it shows the strength of Indian badminton at the world stage. This silver medal will surely motivate lakhs of children to take up the sport and inspire them perform above their ability. On behalf of BAI and Indian Badminton fraternity, I am congratulating her again for marvellous achievement."

"I also congratulate coach P Gopichand who again took India to new heights.

Padma Bhushan Gopichand brought many laurels in his playing days and now his players are achieving new feats. Indian Badminton fraternity is very lucky to have a coach and mentor like him," he added.

With IANS inputs