After Telangana, Andhra Pradesh Gives PV Sindhu Red Carpet Welcome in Vijaywada

PV Sindhu had received a grand welcome from the Telangana government in Hyderabad upon returning from her silver-winning exploits in the Rio Olympics 2016 and now it is the turn of the Andhra Pradesh government as they took out the red carpet in Vijaywada.

Sindhu and her coach Pullela Gopichand landed in Vijaywada, her mother's hometown, on Tuesday morning in a special flight.

Like in Hyderabad, an open-top double-decker, flanked by a swarm of policemen, took her on her victory lap around Vijaywada.

Dressed in white, Sindhu was seen waving to her fans with the silver medal dangling around her neck, while Gopichand waved the tri-colour, amidst drum beats and a lot of cheering.

BAI secretary (events), K Ch Punnaiah Chowdary, who is also the CEO of Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association, Sindhu's father PV Ramana, who is a former volleyball player, were among others who were atop the motorcade.

Later, Sindhu and Gopichand were felicitated at the stadium and the ace shutter was also seen playing badminton with Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu on the dais.

A two-time bronze medallist at the World Championships, Sindhu lost in the finals of the Rio Olympics to Spain's Carolina Marin to clinch the silver, becoming the first Indian shuttler to achieve such a feat.

A tug-of-war between Andhra and Telangana for Sindhu has erupted between the two states. However, coach Gopichand said the Rio Olympics silver medallist "belongs to India".

Sindhu and Gopichand were received at the Hyderabad airport by the shuttler's parents PV Ramana and P. Vijaya on Monday morning. Telangana deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali and other ministers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh government were also present.

Sindhu and Gopichand were taken in an open-top bus as crowds cheered them along the way. The duo did a lap of honor at the Gachibowli Stadium and then went to Gopichand's academy.