It was disappointment that turned into celebrations: Vijay's family

Harsour (Himachal Pradesh) - It was a disappointment that later turned into a big celebration in this nondescript village.

The reason: the 26-year-old Vijay Kumar of the Indian Army, who is from this village in the Badsar division of Hamirpur district, won a silver medal in the 25 metres rapid fire pistol event at the London Olympics on Friday.

‘Had the cable connection to our home not snapped at the last moment, I would have seen my son’s medal-winning moment in the comfort of my home with other family members also watching,’ an upbeat Vijay’s father Subedar (Retd) Banku Ram told IANS.

He said the entire family was glued to the television when the cable connection suddenly snapped.

‘Finally we moved to a nearby shop to watch the television and saw my son garnering Olympic glory,’ 56-year-old Ram, whose mobile phone was continuously ringing with congratulatory calls, said.

Vijay’s house was bustling with villagers, relatives and officials of the district administration.

Now Vijay’s next aim is to find a suitable match, his family said.

‘His first goal was to win an Olympic medal. As that desire has been fulfilled, we will now start looking for a match for his wedding. It’s the right time to get married,’ Vijay’s mother Roshni Devi said.

An elated Roshni said she got a call from London from Vijay on Saturday. ‘He said he’s satisfied with his feat and his dream fulfilled.’

Vijay, born in a joint family, joined the army at the age of 16. In January, he visited the village last time for two days.

Before winning the medal, Vijay spoke to his father.

‘I had spoken to him two hours before the event and extended by good wishes. He was quite confident about winning the medal,’ Ram, who after his retirement is doing farming here, said.

He had no regrets that his son missed the gold. ‘No not at all. I am very happy with silver. I think it’s no less than a gold for us.’

Congratulating the shooter, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said: ‘It’s a matter of proud and honour for the state. We will honour Vijay Kumar with Himachal Gaurav Award Aug 15,’ he told IANS.

The state government has already announced a cash award of Rs.1 crore to the shooter.