Late Captain Vikram Batra, who became a hero and epitome of inspiration for our brave soldiers, fondly known as Kargil’s Sher Shah. Most of you must have read this article in your early childhood when the war between India and Pakistan was fought between Kargil in 1999. But most of you must be familiar with the name of Captain Vikram Batra or have ever seen it. Every patriot should not only know his name but also be aware of Late Captain Vikram Batra’s life. Vikram killed himself in 1999 in the midst of the Pakistani troop’s insurgency in Kargil to defend his beloved motherland.
Early days of Vikram’s life
Captain Vikram Batra was born in Himachal Pradesh on September 9, 1979. Vikram spent his childhood in Palampur’s mountain town. He was the twin sons ‘ elder, born just 14 minutes ahead of his brother Vishal. The twins were named after Lord Rama’s twin sons:’ Luv’ (Vikram) and’ Kush’ (Vishal). He was Girdhari Lal Batra’s third child, ahead of the government school, and Kamal Kant, a teacher of the school. Vikram had Seema and Nutan, two mothers.
Vikram was given his mother’s primary education. Instead, he went to Palampur’s D.A.V. Public School and further completed his Central College, Palampur, senior high school education. Throughout his school days, he was a versatile student with different sets of skills. He represented his Karate school and college, table tennis, and a lot of other sports. He was a committed student, an active sportsman, and an avid co-curricular participant. Vikaram has been an all-rounder in short.
Had patriotic feelings from a very tender age
Vikram went on to study B.Sc Medical Sciences at DAV College, Chandigarh, after passing his class 12th board with 82 per cent marks. He joined Air Wing in the first year of NCC (National Cadet Corps). Vikram remained an NCC Army Wing cadet in the next two years of college. He was trained in the NCC for the’ C’ certificate and classified in his NCC unit as Senior Under Officer. Vikram was chosen in 1994 to participate as an NCC cadet in the Republic Day parade, and after attending the event when Vikram returned to his home, he told his parents he wanted to join the army.
Vikram was eager to join the Indian Army. He prepared for the Combined Defense Services (CDS) examination after completing his Bachelor’s degree in 1995 and also enrolled at Panjab University in Chandigarh, where he was admitted to MA English. He attended the University’s evening classes and also worked part-time at a Chandigarh travel agency. Vikram said to his dad, “I don’t want you to be a burden, dad.” He passed the CDS test with flying colours in 1996 in pursuit of his passion for serving the country. In the midst of this Vikram, a company based in Hong Kong also declined a merchant navy job. Vikram said that to his mother,
“Money is not everything in life; I have to do something bigger in life, something great, something extraordinary, for my country.”
Vikram’s military career
In June 1996, Vikram joined the Manekshaw Battalion at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 13th battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, after completing his training. His first posting was in Jammu City of Sapore and Baramulla District of Kashmir.
Vikram has several meetings with activists in the region. He was going to visit Neugal Cafe every time Batra came on leave to his home town in Palampur. In 1999, during Holi, he came home on leave from the army. Then he met his best friend Dimple Cheema and his fiancee who asked him to be careful in the war that Vikram answered:
“I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I’ll come for sure.”
Vikram joined his battalion in Sopore after his short break. On June 5, Barta’s deployment was shifted to Dras, Jammu and Kashmir after the outbreak of Kargil War. During the fighting, once in ten days, he used to call his parents at least. The last phone call he made was to his mother on 29 June 1999, “Mummy, Ek dum fit hoon, fikar mat Karna.” Vikram’s last time spoke to his mother.
The Kargil War
The Indian army snatched point 5140 from right under the enemy’s nose during the Kargil War on June 19, 1999, under Lt. Vikram Batra’s command. Vikram was promoted to the rank of captain after the capture of Point 5140.
On 30 June, the battalion transferred to the Mushkoh River. Captain Batra volunteered to recover point 4875 for the next flight. This stage was above sea level at 17000 feet and steep at 80 degrees. He commanded a mission to rescue a wounded officer during an enemy counter-attack in the early hours of July 7, 1999. It is believed that he pushed aside the injured officer during the rescue attempt saying “You have a family and children to go back to, I’m not even married.” In due course, he was killed in action while clearing enemy positions and became immortal in every Indian soldier’s hearts.
Vikram Batra heart-wrenching love story
Captain Vikram Batra’s glorified life has one emotional side. Dimple Cheema during his college days was Vikram’s love interest and he had plans to marry her once he came back from the war but he never did. Captain Vikram Batra, having returned from the Kargil War, would have been the Indian Army Staff Chief. The two met in 1995 at the University of Punjab where they were both studying in M.A. French. When he was selected in the Indian Military Academy, Vikram soon left the university, but distance made their hearts grow stronger and stronger over time. Marriage pressure was high, and both of them knew that they were made for each other.
When Dimple grew restless due to the pressure of getting married, Vikram took out his blade in a truly filmy style, slashed his thumb and used it to fill her’ maang’ as a sindoor. It’s the intense exposers to the battlefield that brings much greater value to the passion of the Army men. Though in their love story, fate played a cruel role. This was not the conclusion of the love story of Dimple and Vikram. Dimple kept the memory of Vikram alive by keeping all of his love letters and gifts. She has chosen not to marry and is proud of what Vikram has done for her country. Dimple says she never felt disconnected from him in the past 18 years, not a single day. She says how her mother influenced her personality and her marriage.
Awards and honours
Captain Vikram Batra was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously. He was also known for using the slogan “Yeh Dil Maange More” as his symbol to express the success of his missions. To his honour, the Army uses the name of Captain Batra for various buildings and cantonments. Point 4875’s historic capture led to the mountain being named in his honour Batra Top. The IMA’s consolidated cadet mess is named “Vikram Batra Mess.”
Tribute from Bollywood
2003 LOC Kargil’s film was made as a tribute to the Kargil War soldiers. Captain Vikram Batra’s role was reportedly played by Abhishek Bacchan. Siddharth Malhotra will be seen playing the lead role in a forthcoming biopic of Captain Vikram Batra. Not every hero gets a happy life, but that’s the price a hero pays to be a hero.
We celebrate “Kargil Vijay Diwas” every year on July 26 and pay homage to our brave heroes who sacrificed to keep us safe. In a decisive and gritty battle, India achieved victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War. Because of the dedication of many brave souls, it was all possible. A man who went to become the face of many young Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting fiercely and dying fearlessly was among those many brave hearts.
