P V Sindhu gets rousing welcome, Telangana government felicitates her

HYDERABAD: Amidst scenes of jubilation and a sense of pride, Olympics silver medallist P V Sindhu was today accorded a rousing welcome on her arrival to home town and felicitated by Telangana government for her stupendous performance at Rio Games.

The 21-year-old, who landed with her coach Pullela Gopichand, was received at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport by her parents P V Ramana and P Vijaya, some Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Ministers, amidst cheers from crowds.

A beaming Sindhu, displaying her silver medal and waving to the crowds, was then taken in a open-top-motorcade along with Gopichand to Gachibowli Stadium, where the government felicitated her along with her coach in the presence of a capacity crowd.

Sports-lovers and fans, particularly school children, some with national flags in their hands waved to Sindhu at several road junctions along the route to the stadium where excitement was in the air.

School children held banners hailing the badminton star, who caught the imagination of the country with her superb run at Rio. They raised slogans such as 'P V Sindhu Pride of India', and many of them also showered flower petals on the motorcade.

A celebratory mood prevailed at the stadium, where an enthusiastic crowd, mostly school and college students, welcomed her amid beating of drums by traditional 'Dappu' dance artistes.

"I never expected such a huge turn-out; it made my day," said a smiling Sindhu, overwhelmed by the huge reception.

"Thanks for the support and blessings. I thank my Guru (P Gopichand)...my parents, who supported and motivated me. I would like to thank everyone," she said at the felicitation event, attended by her parents, Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali and IT Minister K T Rama Rao, among others.