A village celebrates

Vijay Kumar Sharmas family wants the road to the village repaired before the Olympics silver medallist comes home

At 2 a.m.,Roshni Devi,mother of London Olympics silver medallist Vijay Kumar Sharma,decides to catch up on her sleep. It has been six hours since Vijay won the silver medal in the 25 M rapid-fire pistol event. She had cooked a late dinner for their 100-odd guests who had turned up at the Sharma household at Harsour,Himachal Pradesh,to watch Vijays final round on television. Devi and her husband Banku Ram Sharma,who has been busy on the phone,make sure everything is in place for the celebrations of the following day,one of which includes hiring a DJ.

Since Vijays final was in the evening,most of his friends and relatives have not come. Our village is not on the state highway. A small road leads to the village,and its a bit risky at night. There are foxes and leopards around,so the children and women have not come. But they have called us on the phone and will be coming in the morning, says Devi as she leads Vijays grandmother Brahmi Devi to her bedroom to sleep.

In the morning,Devi goes to the cattle shed to attend to the three buffaloes. A few men have started pitching a tent in the courtyard. We thought we would put up tents for Vijays wedding but this medal has fulfilled our wish in advance, says Sharma. We hear that the local MLA will also visit. He was not here last night and is now in Shimla, says Sharma.

After lunch,Devi takes a nap before the evening celebrations begin. She is woken up by the music played by the DJ. Vijays brother Ajay is sent to the market to fetch cold drinks and snacks. When the MLA arrives,the villagers gather round him and tell him about the problems they face. Later,Sharma shows Vijays medal collection to the MLA.

We were told workers have started filling the potholes on the road. We hope the road will be fine by the time Vijay comes. He always complains about the village road, Sharma says.

After the MLA is gone,Devi heads to the prayer room and tells her daughter Reema to start preparing for dinner. I have not prayed since last night. When Vijay comes,we will go to the Deotsidh shrine, says Devi.