'An affectionate and loving son'

Onkar Singh

Though the Indian cricket team's celebrations following the Test series victory over Australia are over, in Daulatpuri, in Jallandhar city, where spin sensation Harbhajan Singh comes from, the partying is still on.

Friends and relatives of the hero of India's triumph are still dropping by or calling in to congratulate the family members.

Avtar Kaur, Harbhajan's mother, can't find words to express her joy. Attributing her son's success to hard work, she informs that 'Bajji' never missed talking to her on all the days of the Tests.

"Despite the fact that he has been having a busy schedule he has spoken to me without fail daily. 'Ma, I want to hear your voice and feel comfortable', he told me when I asked him why he made a call everyday.

"He told me how he wished his father was around to see for himself what his little son had achieved. He has been an affectionate and loving son right from his childhood. He used to play badminton and all other games, but it was only at the age of 12 that he started paying attention to cricket. His dedication towards the game has now yielded results," she told rediff.com over telephone from her residence in Jallandhar.

Harbhajan's sister Amrit Kaur said 'Bhajji loves eating' as much as he loves tormenting batsmen with his bowling. "He will eat anything given to him but takes great delight in relishing 'Rajma chawal'. Oh koiyee nakhare nahin karda! (he does not make a fuss about eating anything)," she said.

With a sense of pride, she goes on to talk about his comeback into the big league after being dismissed from the National Cricket Academy.

"When he was removed from the National Cricket Academy, Harbhajan did not crib about the treatment given to him. In fact, he apologized on the spot for his misconduct. But that was not acceptable to the authorities. Now, when we look back, it proved a boon in disguise for him, as he worked harder than ever to prove that he is a talented cricketer," she said.

Harbhajan's close friend Surinder Sharma spoke of how proud he is to have a friend who has played a major role in one of India's finest Test victories.

"We cannot describe in words what he has achieved or done. I am happy that he is a friend of mine. We feel fine and hope he will have many more victories in future as well," he said.

You can also read:

The Harbhajan Singh interview
For Australia, it is the Lost Frontier
Magical 'Bhajji' thanks Kumble, Wright

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