Live: PV Sindhu, P Gopichand arrive in Hyderabad; recieve grand welcome

NEW DELHI: A grand welcome was accorded to Rio Olympics silver medalist P.V. Sindhu as the badminton star arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad today. LIVE UPDATES:

• People cheering for PV Sindhu on her way to Gachibowli stadium

• Hyderabad: Preparation underway at Gachibowli stadium to welcome PV Sindhu.

 

• Hyderabad: Students at Gachibowli stadium cheer for Rio Olympics silver-medalist

• She was received at home in Hyderabad today by a decked up, open deck double-decker bus of Mumbai's BEST.

• The BEST, which runs the public bus services for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad, had dispatched post-haste one of its best -- Nilambari Bus -- which received Sindhu and her coach P. Gopichand at the airport.

WATCH: Rio silver-medalist PV Sindhu has arrived in Hyderabad, now on her way to Gachibowli stadium #Rio2016https://t.co/1rmm4rvdRL

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2016

After travelling around 1,600 kms, the bus reached Hyderabad late Sunday and readied to picking up Sindhu and Gopichand from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) made large-scale arrangements to welcome the Hyderabadi, who became the first woman to win an Olympic silver medal for the country. 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. According to GHMC commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy, the star shuttler will be welcomed by school children and citizens at various points from airport to the stadium. He directed officials to install huge hoardings along the procession route to welcome the girl, who made India proud. A special programme to felicitate Sindhu on her historic win will be held at Gachibowli Stadium. The GHMC commissioner on Saturday reviewed arrangements for the procession and the meeting with officials. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday announced cash prize of Rs 5 crore for Sindhu. He also announced 1,000 square yard house site in Hyderabad and a government job for the girl born in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad. Rao also announced cash prize of Rs 1 crore for Sindhu's coach Pullela Gopichand. (With inputs from agencies)