Arjuna award-winning weightlifter Katulu Ravi Kumar moved into his new Rs 60-lakh three-storey house (picture right) in Berhampur on Wednesday. He and his mother used to live in a rented house till now. Kumar is posted in Pune as a subedar in the Indian Army

On new house

I have named my dream house Surya Nivas after my mother

Ravi Kumar, who attributed his success to his mother K Suryakanta.

I never thought that I could own a house in my lifetime after the sudden demise of my husband. But my son has given me so much happiness and presented me with this palatial building. I struggled a lot to bring up my kids and now, I don’t want to remember that tough phase.

I thank God for this precious gift

K Suryakanta

On marriage

I have asked my mother not to put pressure on me to marry at this stage. I have a dream to win a medal at the (Rio) Olympics in 2016

Ravi Kumar

There is a beeline of proposals for my son. But it depends on Ravi and I must respect his sentiments

K Suryakanta

Text by Sunil Patnaik, pictures by Gopal Krishna Reddy