Medal is a silver lining for the family

HARSOUR (Hamirpur): Visitors looking for Subedar Banku Ram's residence in this hamlet will be greeted by the sight of cattle grazing under a thatched roof. Not accustomed to media frenzy, the family members of Subedar Vijay Kumar of Indian Army are not adept at handling the sudden attention.
Just behind the adjoining red brick wall of the cattle shed, mother Roshni Devi is busy preparing setu vadi - the popular Himachali delicacy for the ecstatic wellwishers flocking to the house.
The family members are still to come to terms with the magnitude of Kumar's achievement. Their son has just seized India's biggest moment of triumph in London Olympics, a silver medal in 25m rapid fire pistol event.
The victory, she hopes, will wean away the smoke and soot of chulha that for years has troubled her.
"I don't know much about Olympics but I know he has achieved something big for the country and that it will be enough to get me a new kitchen.
"I am eagerly waiting for my son. I want to hug him for his achievement," says the unassuming mother, still grappling with the gravity of her son's momentous feat.
"I always wanted him to become strong in will and be committed to his cause. I learnt it from my services. My rank perhaps didn't allow a lavish upbringing but I ensured they lived a life of dignity "says a proud Banku Ram, as he takes fodder to the cattle-shed.