Shuttler P.V. Sindhu stormed into finals on Thursday by beating Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-19 21-10. She is now assured of a medal, but heart goes for gold. In no time, #PVSindhu, #Goldor Silver, #GoforGold began trending.
Wishes and congratulations were pouring in to the 21-year old player from all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the early wishers. His @PMOIndia account posted a photo of Sindhu being congratulated by the PM before her trip to Rio.
Superb performance >@PvSindhu1 . You make India proud! Best of luck for the finals. >#Rio2016>pic.twitter.com/kXwqodB3K7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >August 18, 2016
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, a shuttler herself, tweeted that she was following the game.
MATCH!!!& now an v/s badminton final!!!yes!yes!yes!well played >@Pvsindhu1
— Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) >August 18, 2016
An emotional Viren Rasquinha, CEO of Olympic Gold Quest that has been supporting Sindhu and many other sportspersons had this to say.
With the superstar >@Pvsindhu1 . Been supporting her since she was 14. Tears in my eyes today >@OGQ_India>#Rio2016>#IND>pic.twitter.com/17ZjPjwvPM
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) >August 18, 2016
Olympic bronze winner Sakshi Malik too congratulated Sindhu.
Huge congratulations to >@Pvsindhu1 on becoming the first >#Indian to enter an >#Olympic badminton final! >#JeetoRio>#RuknaNahiHai
— Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) >August 18, 2016
Fellow sportspersons Pankaj Advani, Manoj Kumar, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and many more wished her. Abhinav Bindra, the lone Indian to win an Olympic Gold, hopes Sindhu joins him by winning gold.
What a player !! >@Pvsindhu1 I'm waiting for you to join me in the club. You have no idea how lonely it's been !!!
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) >August 18, 2016
Fellow badminton players were elated too.
Wwoooohooooooooo...go for gold...u can do it >@Pvsindhu1
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) >August 18, 2016
Indian Railways too took pride in her achievement.
Sindhu being a resident of Hyderabad, Hyderabadis made sure she was right on top in Twitter's trending list.
Hearty congratulations Sindhu. Go for Gold Girl ! >@Olympics>@indiainbrazil>@IndiaInRIO>#badmintonRio2016>https://t.co/v773VHwlg0
— DGP TELANGANA POLICE (@TelanganaDGP) >August 18, 2016
Thursday was Rakshabandhan, a festival to remind the brothers to take care of their sisters. But it was two women who have won medals for the nation. This irony didn't go unnoticed.
Perhaps sisters have protocol on Rakshabandhan to win. Go PV Sindhu unveil it like Sakshi
— vikas maharshi (@MaharshiVikas) >August 18, 2016
It was not just Sindhu, but wishes poured to her coach P. Gopichand too. And tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi went one step further.
Gopi for President !!!!
— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) >August 18, 2016
History of India, a parody account known for its unconventional captions to photos had this to say.
Indian Scientist >#PVSindhu launching the Shuttle into the heartland of Khap Panchayat.(2016) >pic.twitter.com/WDbHElPxOs
— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) >August 18, 2016