Salesian Sister’s alumna wins Olympic badminton bronze

By C.M. Paul

Kolkata: Salesian Sister Rosily Theckanath is proud that P V Sindhu, her former student, has become the second Indian and the country`s first woman to win two Olympic medals.

Sindhu, the reigning Badminton world champion on August 1 secured a bronze after a straight-game win over world no. 9 He Bing Jiao of China in the badminton women`s singles third-place play-off held in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Sister Theckanath, former principal at Auxilium School Secunderabad, recalls Sindhu`s schools days.

One of the first parents I met as I took charge of the Auxilium School Secunderabad in 2009 was Ramana, the Arjuna awardee. He came with his beloved daughter P.V. Sindhu who was a student of Auxilium School Secunderabad.

Ramana told me that Sindhu cannot attend the academic class daily as he had enrolled her in Pullella Gopichand Sports Academy.

It gave me lots of joy to accompany this budding star and do all that I could in order to make her dream come true. A girl of determination and courage Sindhu wanted to be a winner always. Obedience and respectfulness especially towards her teachers is part and parcel of her life. She cherished every value we proposed with lot of interest and earnestness.

Sindhu could not attend the class daily specially when there were the rigorous practices and various national and international matches. We gave her all support including full attendance. Her friends were so good that before their teachers could ask they would complete Sindhu`s notes.

Each time Sindhu reached the school with her hard earned prize we had a celebration in the morning assembly which boosted her for greater heights. Ramana always told me that it is because of the tremendous support from the school Sindhu is able to win even the tough matches.

When Sindhu was in grade ten at the time came for the Board Examinations she had a match in Malaysia. Naturally my thought was that she would opt for the Board Examination of course with the thought that our usual 100 percent pass may not go down. But to every one’s surprise Sindhu said that she preferred going for the match than appearing for her first public examinations. We send her with all our blessings.

Competing with the Malaysian player Sindhu stood atop the podium to receive the gold medal and after this victory match as she returned, the public examinations were already completed. I started for her a few days of intense coaching with the help of other subject teachers and got her ready for the instant exams in June. Sindhu was much focused and most cooperative and earnest that she fetched a distinction in her board examinations.

I proudly recall that great moment in my life as Sindhu and her parents invited me to share the stage during the grand reception in Hyderabad as she returned to India as the Rio Olympics (2016) silver medalist. It was a rare moment and our hard work really paid off.