HP government hastily announces Rs 1 Cr bonanza for Vijay Kumar

SHIMLA: "What I should do to get a state award?" That was what a dejected Vijay Kumar had asked the Himachal Pradesh government just three months before he made the country proud by winning silver on Friday in London.
The state government, which did not send a reply, hastily announced an award of Rs 1 crore for Vijay Kumar late on Friday evening as news of his silver-winning performance poured in. It was also announced that the Himachal Gaurav Puraskar will be conferred on him on August 15.
While training in Germany in May this year, Vijay Kumar had shot an email to chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal listing his achievements and asking what more he would have to do for the state to recognize him.
Just before he left for London' Vijay Kumar's father Banku Ram, a retired subedar of the Indian Army, had submitted a copy of the letter to the deputy commissioner of Hamirpur district.
While the Centre conferred the Arjuna award to Vijay Kumar as early as 2007, the two state awards for sportsmen - Himachal Gaurav Puraskar and Parshuram Rajya Khel Puraskar - had eluded him.
"Vijay was pained by the fact that his achievements were ignored by his own state. Before leaving for London, he had promised me he would bring home a medal and make the government chase him with the awards," said Banku Ram on Saturday.