Rinku’s parents admit readily that they never believed he would one day turn around their futures since sports was the only thing he was good at. Though he was selected for the Lucknow Sports Hostel last year on account of his javelin talent — he won silver medal at the Junion National Athletics Championship at Vijaywada in November 2007 — for them it was only “bhala fenk”.

Their third son Rajan is incidentally also a sportsperson. A middle- and long-distance runner, he is enrolled at the Meerut Sports Hostel.

However, the family is quickly getting used to the newfound fame, making arrangements for the mediapersons who have been streaming into Holepur, situated 65 km from both Varanasi and Allahabad, and offering them sweets and samosas. People of the area, including small dhaba owners, guide any visitor to Rinku’s house.

A little away from the celebrations stands Vipin Kumar Singh ‘Chintu’ (22), who encouraged Rinku to take to javelin four years ago. “I am more than happy he has achieved what I never even dreamt of. Maybe our village which has given short shrift to sports-loving youths will soon become a hotspot for baseballers.”

The family is waiting for Rinku to return to the village. “Let him first come back with the cheque and then we will tell you what we will do with the money,” says Antaraja. As someone mentions that he wants to buy a swanky car for his parents, she admonishes: “He splurges a lot, but we believe that he will fulfill his dream of building a better house for the family at this village.”

... contd.