Family members all through the day anxiously wanted to believe the news of Nachiketa's release but wanted an official confirmation before they could begin the celebrations.

They did not have to wait long. Soon afterwards officials at the air base galvanised their machinery and assured them that his release had been secured but it would take a couple of hours before he was physically handed over.

``We are overjoyed,'' said his mother Lakshmi. She admitted that she had broken down when she first heard the news of his release from her relatives. But once the news was confirmed, she said that she was overjoyed and grateful to everyone who had prayed for him. According to sources, Air Chief Marshall Tipnis visited the family and assured them that everything was true. ``My mother broke down when she first heard the news. But now we are all overjoyed,'' said sister Sandhya.

Equallyproud and jubilant, Renu Gautam, one of his high school teachers, said: ``I am so happy for him and his family. We are very proud of this boy. I have been praying for his release ever since I heard the news.''