Shanthi's parents thank CM; shun reports of gender test

Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, Dec 18 (UNI) ''My heart is filled with joy and my family is thankful to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his gesture and the people for their moral support,'' said M Soundararajan, father of Doha Asian Games silver medallist Shanthi Soundararajan, here tonight.

Talking to newspersons, after arriving at his native village of Kathakkurichi, 15 kms away from Pudukkottai from Chennai, the 61-year-old Soundararajan said the Chief Minister had advised him not to worry about the past things.

He said Karunanidhi had given them Rs 15 lakhs cheque as announced by him earlier as a gesture towards his family at Chennai, this morning.

Asked about the mood of his daughter Shanthi he said, ''Shanthi was not shattered by the reports that she had failed gender test at Doha.'' My daughter has not lost her confidence, she would bring more laurels to the country, if the government give its continuous patronage and support to her'', he said in a choked voice.

On the controversy over the gender test, he said ''it is not the first event for my daughter, she had participated in many international events abroad, earlier. But, this issue did not arise and now somebody out of jealousy raised it''.

Much to the disappointment of media persons, who had assembled at Shanthi house at Kathakurichi since this afternoon Shanthi had not returned to her native place, so far.

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