On August 20, 2016, the cafeteria of the call centre where I work is an intriguing sight. It's past midnight and time for a change in the shift. Amidst half-asleep greetings and handovers, the small TV in the corner constantly draws the fleeting attention of everyone. One question rings loud: "Do you think she'll win the gold?"
20-year-old Pusarla Venkata Sindhu is locked in a battle against Carolina Marin, who would become her archnemesis for the next decade. Marin enters as the favourite, having won the world championship twice up until then and ranked as the best player globally, advancing to the final without dropping a game. For a 20-year-old, who's pushing through a stress fracture, after her senior and Olympic medalist compatriot Saina Nehwal was knocked out before the quarterfinals, it's David vs Goliath.
Yet, the battle goes down to the wire, with both Olympians matched toe-to-toe. Unfortunately, it ends with Marin clinching the gold. After the initial sighs of disappointments, the cafeteria erupts in a rather wholesome round of applause. PV Sindhu has just become India's youngest individual Olympic medalist and the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal. Looking back, Sindhu remembers, "Honestly, I never thought I would win a medal. I was just like any other kid, excited to play in my first Olympics. When I went to my first Olympics, my focus was simply on doing well and giving my all. Match by match, I kept winning, and things went well. Though I reached the finals and couldn't win, I gave it my best. When I returned to India, people told me how crazy it was back home. Life has completely changed for me since then."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Most Expensive Made-In-India Cars
From Mercedes limousines to variants of the flagship Land Rover, a surprising number of luxury flagship models are now locally assembled or produced in India
Making Noise In Quiet
Manik Handa of Eudaemon explains what it truly takes to define quiet luxury in India’s crowded retail market
Luggage Travails of a Frequent Flyer
Luxury and semi-luxury luggage are the new fashion frontier amongst the Indian jet set. Our writer though recommends extreme caution, unless you are the kind who can afford to fly in private jets
Ruling The Street
Either through imitation or rejection, streetwear continues to dominate the wardrobe of young India. We talk to those who follow the scene closely to understand its rise in status
Street Cred
Royal Enfield’s Guerrilla 450 is a thoroughly fun and exciting motorcycle—it is not that the Himalayan has just tidied up for a visit to the city
Now Serving.Indigenous India
India's culinary scene is buzzing with a quiet revolution, fueled by a vibrant comeback of hyperlocal ingredients. This movement isn't just about digging up fresh, local produce from across the nation—it's about rediscovering the deep, rich tapestry of India's diverse culinary heritage
CHAITANYA AKKINENI OF OLD LOVES AND NEW
The Akkineni-Daggubati family scion is starting a new phase, and life is looking more exciting than ever
Independence Movement
As we step into India's 77th year of Independence, we're shining the spotlight on four stunning timepieces, all designed from within the nation's borders
Precision in Motion
How Alain Zobrist and Omega Time the Olympics
The New Frontier
While India witnesses a massive growth in the number of global skincare brands entering the market, an increasing number of homegrown brands takeover the space and trust among consumers