On Friday, the day before her 30th birthday today, India’s badminton icon Pusarla Venkata Sindhu became emotional after visiting the iconic campus of the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) in Nagpur, which was not just as a sports star. Rather, it was as a family member retracing the footsteps of someone dear. Her father-in-law, a distinguished IRS officer, trained at NADT in the early ’90s as part of the 46th batch. Now retired, he remains one of the most respected figures in the service.
Sindhu’s reflection of her emotion was exposed in her tweet where she wrote, “Three decades later, he retired as one of the most respected officers in the service. It was truly special to walk the same campus and meet some of his batchmates…”
For the Olympian, this wasn’t just a visit—it was a tribute to the journey of public service, dedication, and legacy that her family has been a part of.
During her interaction with the officer trainees, Sindhu was struck by their energy and curiosity. The young recruits of India’s Income Tax department got a rare opportunity to engage with a global sports icon—and made the most of it.
“Thank you for your warmth, energy, and thoughtful questions,” she said, appreciating the lively exchange that followed.
A role model for today’s generation with 20 medals across all the senior competitions, and seven major notable awards from the Indian government, Sindhu is an extremely popular athlete and enjoys an estimated net worth of Rs 59 crores, making her the richest female badminton star in India.
She earns her wealth from prize money bagged from her achievements at various international tournaments, including the Olympics and the World Championships. Sindhu is also a brand favourite and endorses Maybelline, Li Ning, Bank of Baroda, and Asian Paints.
According to reports, Sindhu has also made smart investments in different startups like Hoop (wellness), Better Nutrition (FMCG), and Azad Engineering (aerospace) to enhance her earnings and maintain her luxury lifestyle.
She lives in a lavish home in Hyderabad and has multiple eye-catching assets like BMW X5, Mahindra Thar, and BMW 320D, which was gifted to her by legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
