Quick Facts
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- Name: Vikram Batra
- Also Known As: Captain Vikram Batra, Sher Shah of Kargil
- Birth Date: 9 September 1974
- Died on: 7 July 1999
- Nationality: Indian
- Famous as: Officer (Indian Army)
- Birth Place: Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
- Religion: Hindu
Captain Vikram Batra was an army officer for the Indian Army. He sacrificed his life for his nation in the year 1999. He was from a small town in Himachal Pradesh.
There are very people in the nation, who give up their life to protect the country. They do not think about their life as they think about the nation first.
We sit comfortably in our homes while they are fighting at the border. They risk their entire life so that we can sit at home without any fear.
Vikram Batra is one such name, whom we lost in the year 1999. We salute such brave souls!
Early Life
The humble boy from Palampur was born on 9th September 1974. His father was a school principal of a Government school and his mother was a school teacher.
Vikram Batra had a twin brother, who was born fourteen minutes after Vikram entered the world. Since their mother was a believer of Lord Rama, she named the twins Luv and Kush.
He also had two sisters named Nutan and Seema. He was very bright in studies and apart from that, he was good at sports as well. He represented his school for Karate and Tennis competitions.
He and his brother, Vishal were excellent at tennis and they represented their school at All India KVC Nationals.
He completed his 12th standard in the year 1992 and got 82% marks. Later, he pursued B.Sc in Medical Sciences at DAV College, Chandigarh. During his college time, he joined the NCC (National Cadet Corps).
He had joined the Air Wing of NCC and he was also adjudged as the best Air Wing NCC Cadet. He went for 40 day training to Flying Club and Pinjore Airfield. Till he finished his graduation, he was a cadet for the Air Wing.
Military Career
It was in the year 1996 when Vikram Batra joined the Indian Military Academy. The course duration was 19 months and the location was Dehradun. He completed the training by 1997 and became a lieutenant for the Indian Army.
Captain Vikram Batra was commissioned to the 13th Battalion (12 JAk Rif). He was sent to Jabalpur after getting commissioned.
Once the training finished, he was sent to Sopore in Jammu & Kashmir. Sopore area was dangerous because there was too much militant activity here.
Once a militant targeted him and shot the gun but it went right across the shoulder and killed the soldier behind Vikram Batra. He knew that the bullet was meant for him and not the soldier behind him.
He went for a Commando course in Karnataka in the year 1999. It was in the month of January. He excelled in the same and was awarded the highest grading.
The last time he visited his home town was in the month of March during Holi festival in the year 1999.
His acquaintance warned him to be safe but Captain Vikram Batra was sure that he would come back with a flag raised high in his hand or his body would be wrapped in it.
He went back to Sopore and due to some tension, the officers and soldiers had to move to Dras. This was the time when he last talked to his mother. It was in the month of June in 1999. He told his mother that he is fit and fine.
He was also known as the Sher Shah of Kargil. It was in the year 1999 in the month of June when Pakistan invaded Kargil, Captain Vikram Batra lost his life.
Lt Batra was assigned to capture the peak 4875. It was clearly a death trap because the Pakistanis could get a clear view.
On 7th July 1999, he went on a mission to rescue one of his army soldiers. He pushed away the subedaar saying that, “You have a wife and kids at home…”
He was shot by the enemies and that was the time Vikram Batra took his last breath. His final words were, “Jai Mata Di”.
He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra in the year 1999 on the occasion of 15th August 1999. It is the highest honour in the military.
The Incomplete Love Story
When Vikram was in Punjab University, he met Dimple Cheema. They had a four year relationship and they had plans to get married after Vikram would come back from Kargil.
He never came back and Dimple Cheema was left broken. She feels proud that people talk about him and remember him with respect and pride. However, she misses him being around.
She would get insecure at times because they spent a lot of time apart. Once, he cut his thumb and filled her forehead with his blood. He was very much in love with her but their story could not get a happy ending.
Quotes by Captain Vikram Batra
“Yeh dil maange more…”
He was a restless man. His girlfriend remembers how he could not sit patiently in a restaurant. He always wanted to achieve greater things in life. He always chased his dreams.
“Don’t worry about us. Pray for your safety…”
Captain Batra was confident that he will do everything to protect his country. He had no doubt that they would attain victory and the enemies should be afraid. He had a lot of enthusiasm and he was ready to sacrifice his life for the nation.
Captain Vikram Batra was a confident man. He knew what he wanted to do and his objective was clear. He wanted to serve his country which he did at the war. We shall always remember him for his bravery!
Officers like him are an inspiration for the youth. Why can’t have the same determination to protect our country? Officers like Captain Vikram Batra are rare to find.
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