Sindhu, Sakshi, Dipa, Jitu get Khel Ratnas

Shuttler P.V. Sindhu, wrestler Sakshi Malik, gymnast Dipa Karmakar, and shooter Jitu Rai were on Monday conferred the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna -- the country's highest sporting honour -- at Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

President Pranab Mukherjee presented the awards amid thunderous applause at the Darbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of National Sports Day.

The President also gave away the Dronacharya awards to Nagapuri Ramesh (Athletics), Sagar Mal Dhayal (Boxing), Raj Kumar Sharma (Cricket), Bishweshwar Nandi (Gymnastics), S Pradeep Kumar (Swimming) and Mahabir Singh (Wrestling).

Apart from this, 15 sportspersons were given the Arjuna Awards, among them Olympian runner Lalita Babar, boxer Shiva Thapa, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, hockey players Rani Rampal and VR Raghunath. While athlete Satti Geetha, hockey player Sylvanus Dung Dung and rower Rajendra Pralhad Shelke were conferred the Dhyanchand Award.

--IANS

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