#Rio2016: How the 'Khel Ratna' girls PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik and Dipa Karmakar inspired a whole nation

For the past few days, Indians everywhere are feeling a sense of pride. A pride brought about by three daughters of India, who fought against all odds to take their country to great heights. That's right, Rio Olympics medallists -- shuttler P.V. Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi Malik along with gymnast Dipa Karmakar brought immense fame and shifted the spotlight to brighter horizons in a country which ironically has been infamous for female foeticide and rape cases.

The three sportswomen come from average family backgrounds and have struggled hard to attain worldclass standards. The Sports Ministry on Monday announced that P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik will receive the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award along with gymnast Dipa Karmakar and shooter Jitu Rai. Considered as the country's highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna award is conferred on a sportsperson for outstanding performance over a period of four years. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh along with a medal and a citation.

The girls and their coaches have given us many pearls of wisdom in the past few days. Have a dekko at them as we congratulate their super feat. 

It was my first Olympics. I was very excited. My aim was to play well and give my 100 percent. I never thought of medal. We took it match by match and prepared the strategy - PV Sindhu

I will try extremely hard to get gold medals in the forthcoming Asian Games (2018 in Jakarta), Commonwealth Games (2018 in Australia) and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I shall try to deliver my best in future - Dipa Karmakar

This medal is for every #Indian! Thank you for all your support, love and good wishes! - Sakshi Mallik

I just believed in myself. I went and I gave my 100 percent. I did it. When I went to Olympics I did not think I will play finals but then I believed in myself. I feel I have to give full effort in every match and results will come automatically - PV Sindhu

We have somewhere lost the plot. Everybody who loses becomes thrown away and everybody who wins becomes super hero - Sindhu's coach Gopichand 

A huge thank you to everyone for their support and constant encouragement! #JaiHind #JeetoRio - Sakshi Mallik

I still believe we have seen only glimpses of what she is capable of. I believe she got more potential. I am waiting for her to realize this. It might take time. We need to be patient and we need to understand results may not come as consistently as we want them - Sindhu's coach Gopichand

Lastly, the champions have been trending for one more reason. Apparently, another important message that the ladies have passed through is this - It does not take one to be 'fair and lovely' to be a success in life.