‘It’s an honour to be mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,’ says Saina Nehwal

Hyderabad: Ace India shuttler Saina Nehwal expressed happiness over Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaping praise on her for climbing the number one spot in world badminton ranking, in his monthly radio address.

"It is an honour to be mentioned by the Honourable Prime Minister (in his radio address)," Saina, who returned to Hyderabad this morning from Wuhan, China after losing in the quarterfinals of the Asia Badminton championship said.

Meanwhile, Saina's father Harvir Singh told PTI they would like to contribute Rs 2 lakh to the Prime Minister's relief fund towards the victims of the devastating earthquake in Nepal that has claimed the lives of thousands of people.

Addressing the nation on Sunday, Modi lavished praise on tennis star Sania Mirza and Saina for climbing to number one in world rankings in their respective sports. He also offered words of support to the country's cricketers, who were heavily criticised after their World Cup ouster last month, during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme on AIR.

While Sania has climbed to the top in doubles rankings, Saina is currently the numero uno shuttler in singles – both being the first Indian women to achieve the feat. "I am proud to say that two daughters of the country have brought glory. I congratulate them and all other daughters of the country. We all feel proud," Modi said during the radio programme.