Sindhu gets grand welcome; Ministers shower praise

Hyderabad, Aug.22: On their return from Rio Olympics at Shamshabad Airport here this morning., silver medallist PV Sindhu and her coach Pullela Gopichand were given grand reception by the State Government. They were felicitated for Sindhu’s victory that created records at the international arena. Youth, schoolchildren, and officials brought them in a bedecked vehicle to International Stadium at Gachchibowli. Sindhu and Gopichand were flanked by Minister P Mahender Reddy and others. Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, IT Minister K Tarakarama Rao, Transport Minister Mahender Reddy, Cinematography Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav, AP Ministers China Rajappa, Devineni Umamaheswhara Rao, MP Kesineni Nani, Sindhu’s parents, GHMC Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, Commissioner Janardhan Reddy and others welcomed her at the airport. They were felicitated at Gachchi Bowli Stadium later. Speaking on the occasion, Nayani showered praises on Sindhu for bringing laurels to the nation in general and Telangana State in particular. Chie Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced Rs 5 crore cash award for Sindhu and Rs one crore to Gopichand for the achievement. Narsimha Reddy and Mahender Reddy asked the youth to emulate Sindhu to participate in such events and bring the name to the State. Curiously, several leaders, including ministers, MPs, legislators and others were seen standing in the queue to greet Sindhu on the occasion.