How PV Sindhu Becomes Unifying Factor For Two Telugu States At Loggerheads Due To Their Water Share

The Andhra Pradesh govt awarded Sindhu with 2 acres of land to set up a badminton academy while the KCR govt rewarded her with whopping cash prize on her return from Tokyo Olympics

Hyderabad: Ace shuttler and two-time Olympics medallist PV Sindhu hailing from Telangana's Hyderabad, becomes a unifying factor at a time when the neighbouring states are at loggerheads about their share of Krishna river water. She is majorly celebrated by both the Telugu states every time she wins and has inspired the youngsters in these two states. Noticing this, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy offered her 2 acres of land to set up a badminton academy with state-of-art facilities while Telangana CM has bestowed praises for her Historic bronze at Tokyo Olympics.

When she won the badminton silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Telangana government rewarded her with a sum of Rs 5 crore, while Andhra Pradesh presented her Rs 3 crore and a plum state government job.

After winning her historic second medal at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to do so, Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy hailed her exploits as the lone Indian woman to do it. "All good wishes and congratulations to our Telugu girl Sindhu for winning Bronze for India at Tokyo Olympics 2020," said Reddy.

He did not stop with the wishes but proceeded to reward the state government employee and Olympian with a cash award of Rs 30 lakh. The Andhra government handed over the cheque to the badminton superstar on Friday after she met Reddy along with her family.

Even before leaving for Tokyo, Reddy met Sindhu and handed over a cash incentive of Rs 5 lakh, along with a copy of the government order allocating 2 acre of land to Sindhu to set up a badminton academy in the port city Visakhapatnam, which will soon become the executive capital of the southern state.

On being asked when she would set up the academy, the much-loved shuttler said she would do it soon. "I am so grateful for your continuous support Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, thank you sir," Sindhu told IANS.

She said the Chief Minister is constantly supporting her and even assured that they are always behind her, including offering whatever she needs to make sure she keeps winning.

"I am very happy. He (Reddy) congratulated me. The Chief Minister blessed and told me to definitely bring a medal and I brought a medal. The whole state has been congratulating me. Thanks to all of them," she said.

In fact, Reddy himself urged her to start the academy soon to nurture more youngsters like her.

The ace shuttler also praised the Andhra Pradesh government for introducing schemes to encourage sports-persons.

Appreciating the state government for reserving 2 per cent jobs for sports-persons in government posts, Sindhu said: "It is appreciable to know that the state government is giving YSR awards to sportspersons to encourage them."

After reaching Hyderabad from Tokyo via Delhi, Sindhu received a rousing welcome in Telangana state as well. V. Srinivas Goud, the Telangana Sports Minister, was present at the airport to personally welcome her along with other senior officials.

Goud also met Sindhu before leaving for Tokyo and playfully engaged in a short badminton game with her.

Several Tollywood actors celebrated the badminton superstar's success with equal zest, including Lakshmi Manchu, Mahesh Babu, Varun Tej, Sharat Chandra and others.

Telugu film legend and megastar from Mogalturu village Chiranjeevi said: "Congrats Sindhu on winning the medal and creating history for being the first Indian woman to bring Olympic medal twice in a row."

Outside the sporting realm, the badminton virtuoso unites both the states by embracing and revering deities in the Telugu states.

She is a regular at Lal Darwaza Mahankali temple Bonalu celebrations. Like a traditional Telangana girl, Sindhu carries the �Bonam' during the popular festival in Hyderabad.

Similarly, she has great devotion for Kanakadurgamma at Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada. She visited Kanakadurgamma temple on her return from Tokyo along with her family members.

Sindhu said she is a devotee of the deity and visits the temple regularly.

The shuttler not only unites but has also inspired a generation of young people with her sporting excellence, resulting in more youngsters taking up the sport nowadays in the Telugu states. Sindhu and her victories are leaving a lasting positive effect on both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as well as the whole nation.

(With inputs from IANS)