Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (P.V. Sindhu) is a professional badminton player who represents India at the international level. Born on 5 July 1995 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, she comes from a family deeply rooted in sports — both her parents, P.V. Ramana and P. Vijaya, were volleyball players. Her father, P.V. Ramana, was a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award for his achievements in volleyball.

Growing up in a sporting environment, Sindhu was inspired to pursue a career in sports at the young age of six. She chose badminton as her game, drawing inspiration from Pullela Gopichand, who had just won the 2001 All England Open Badminton Championship. Gopichand would later become her coach and play a pivotal role in her career.

Sindhu initially trained under Mehbub Ali, where she learned the basics of badminton. She then joined the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, Telangana, for advanced training. Her dedication was evident from her daily routine — traveling 56 kilometers each day from her home to the academy, a testament to her determination and discipline.

Her breakthrough came in September 2012 when, at just 17, she broke into the Top 20 of the BWF World Rankings. In 2013, she created history by becoming the first Indian woman singles player to win a medal at the Badminton World Championships.

Recognizing her achievements, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri in 2015, making her one of the youngest recipients of the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.