Family prepares for grandest wedding

NEW DELHI: Harsour is a four-hour drive from Shimla, and is normally tucked far away from attention. On Friday, though, as shooter Vijay Kumar climbed the podium to receive his silver medal, all roads led to this quiet town in the Himachal.
Harsour exploded in celebration, bursting crackers and beating drums enjoying the rare spotlight. Leading the way were Vijay's elated parents.
"We were expecting this. He even told us to put his marriage on hold till his mission," Vijay Kumar's father Banku Ram Sharma told TOI. India's latest hero is the second of Ram and Roshni Devi's three children. Vijay's elder sister Reena Devi lives in Himachal while younger brother Ajay Sharma is a software engineer in Chandigarh.
Vijay's mother Roshni Devi and grandmother Brahmi Devi too were dancing with joy, but not because of the silver. Vijay promised them he would get married if he won a medal. "I'm happy that he will get married now," Brahmi Devi said.
Ram, who retired from the Army as a junior commissioned officer, said his son's complete dedication to shooting was exceptional. "He last visited us in January and that was for two days. Since then he has focused on his training and we didn't want to disturb him," said the 58-year-old, who retired from the 16 Dogra regiment in 2003. Ram said the Army's support had been crucial. Vijay had been using pistols provided by the Army even during competitions.