Hyderabad ecstatic

 No one really cared whether PV Sindhu won or lost the match against Spaniard Carolina Marin at the Rio Olympics.

The day-long celebrations at the sprawling lawns of the Gachibowli based Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy here reached a crescendo when the academy’s cynosure Sindhu finished the match and settled for silver. However festivities continued despite of palpable disappointment in the air.

After the first game, hundreds along with Sindhu’s parents and coach P Gopichand’s family members gathered in front of the big screen set up by the academy. They cheered, shouted, waved national flags and hugged each other. Such was the interest level that ace shooter Gagan Narang and former union minister Purandheswari were also a part of the crowd.

Earlier during the day, Sindhu's father P Venakata Ramana took a quick trip to Ratnalakunta, a village in Pedavegi mandal of West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh -- some 400 kilometers from here -- to offer prayers in Ratnalamma temple. “My daughter offered prayers here before leaving for the Rio Games. My great ancestors are great believers of the goddess here. I wish the goddess’ blessings will be with Sindhu,” he said.

At the St Ann’s College for woman in Mehdipatnam where Sindhu studied, students and classmates held day long celebrations wishing their college mate all the best. “She is very friendly and never had the air of being a star. We all wish her the best,” said a student.