Sindhu arrives in Hyderabad to rousing reception

Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu arrived here this morning to a grand welcome at Hyderabad International Airport.

Amid scenes of jubilation and loud cheers from scores of people, Sindhu, accompanied by coach Pullela Gopichand, was greeted by her parents -- P V Ramana and P Vijaya -- besides Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, and some ministers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Later, displaying the silver medal, she also waved to the cheering crowds from the open-top-motorcade as the procession began from the airport towards Gachibowli stadium, where the Telangana government has organised a gala felicitation in honour of the star shuttler.

The Telangana government had announced Rs five crore cash reward for the 21-year-old, a 1,000 square yard housing site near the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gachibowli and suitable government job, if she is willing.

Telangana government had also announced cash prize of Rs one crore for Sindhu's coach Gopichand.

Cheering crowds, particularly school children, some with national flags in their hands waved to a beaming Sindhu, who seemed to be basking in glory, at several road junctions along with 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, and raised slogans 'P V Sindhu Pride of India', and some 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, gathered, amidst beating of drums by traditional 'Dappu' dance artistes, as Telangana government made it a point to make the event a memorable one.