Jubilant after receiving the Padma Bhushan from President Pranab Mukherjee, Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal has admitted that the prestigious award will encourage her to perform even better so that she can make the country proud in the coming future.
"It is a great moment for me. It will encourage me to perform even better in the coming future and continue to make India proud," a visibly elated Nehwal told reporters here.
The 26-year-old Hyderabadi insisted that she would continue to work hard and that she will strive to achieve good results.
Congratulating Indian cricket team for storming into the semifinals of the ongoing World T20, Nehwal said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side had been performing well and that she hopes they would win the title.
"India is doing extremely well. They have made it to the semifinals and I wish them all the very best. I hope they continue playing well and win the tournament," said Nehwal.
Besides Nehwal, other celebrities who received the Padma Bhushan award are Hafeez Sorabe Contractor, Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Anupam Pushkarnath Kher, Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Saina Nehwal, Vinod Rai, Alla Ventaka Rama Rao and Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy.