In Pics! Sindhu, Sakshi, Dipa, Jitu honoured with Khel Ratna Award

Olympic stars PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik and Dipa Karmakar were on Monday conferred India's highest sporting honour - the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna - along with shooter Jitu Rai in a gleaming awards ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Shuttler PV Sindhu won the silver medal at the Rio Olympics to become the youngest Indian to win a medal at the Olympics and just the second badminton player after Saina Nehwal had won the bronze in 2012.

Wrestler Sakshi Malik was the first to score a medal at the Rio Olympics and opened India's medals tally after a poor run of over a week.

Shooter Jitu Rai had a disappointing showing at the Rio Olympics with an eighth place finish in one event and failing to qualify in his pet event. However, considering the criteria for the Khel Ratna and his performance over the past four years, Jitu Rai could have been the lone recipient had it been a non-Olympic year

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar came within touching distance of winning a medal after becoming the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. She was also the first to qualify for the Final.

PV Sindhu paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary alongside Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Vijay Goel.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat received the Arjuna Award from President Pranab Mukherjee. She had to pull out of the Rio Games after suffering an unfortunate knee injury during a bout.