Not only Rajendra´s family and relatives but the whole village is in a festive mood after he clinched the eighth gold medal for Nepal in the 11th South Asian Games (SAG) in Dhaka on Tuesday. [break]
All of them were praying for Rajendra´s success from early morning and their joy knew no bounds after they heard the good news. “I woke up at four in the morning and prayed for his success. I heard about his success by nine o´clock,” said the 52 years old father of Rajendra. “I´m speechless because of happiness,” he added.
Rajendra, who is the elder of two siblings, joined the army about 15 years ago. Rajendra had won two gold medals in the 10th SAG but he was stripped of the medals after testing positive for doping. After two years´ ban, Rajendra has finally made up for his past mistakes.
Rajendra´s parents, who were shell-shocked to hear that their son tested positive for doping, have at last heaved a sigh of relief.
Dil Bahadur remembers that Rajendra didn´t plead guilty when he asked Rajendra to tell the truth. “Rajendra said he was framed when I asked him. What was the need to lie if he really had taken drugs,” said Dil Bahadur.
“I had met Rajendra a week before he left for Dhaka,” said Dil Bahadur, adding, “He said he hadn´t done anything wrong and he promised to return victorious.”
Dil Bahadur had told his son not to go to Dhaka if it would bring shame on him again. But Dil Bahadur, who has full faith in his son, was confident that his son would return with gold.
Dil Bahadur is eager to meet his triumphant son. “Tears filled my eyes after I heard of his success from Shanta (Rajendra´s wife who lives in Kathmandu). I´m eager to meet him,” he said.
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