“I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it, but I will come for sure.”
These were the last words of the Sher Shah of the Indian Army, Late Captain Vikram Batra. You must have come across this name when the Kargil war was going on but the name and the man has been forgotten. Not only should every Indian know his name but the life of this martyr too because he died for the Indians. Late Captain Vikram Batra was born on September 9, 1974.
On his 41st birth anniversary, here are some facts you all should know about the brave Sher Shah:
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He got his primary education from his mother, who herself was a teacher
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Captain Vikram Batra would have been the General of the Indian Army staff, had he returned from the Kargil war fought between India and Pakistan in the year 1999
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He was an officer of the Indian Army and died in the Kargil war while rescuing an injured officer in an enemy counterattack
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Batra died on July 7, 1999 when he was only 24 years-old
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On June 19, 1999, under the leadership of Captain Vikram Batra, the Indian army snatched point 5140, from right under the enemy’s nose
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After this successful operation of Point 5140, Captain Batra volunteered for the next mission to recapture point 4875. This point was 17,000 feet above the sea level and 80 degree steep
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On July 7, 1999, in the early hours, he was commanding a mission to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack
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It is believed that during the rescue attempt, he pushed aside the injured officer saying, “You have children, step aside”
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He was killed in action while clearing enemy positions and rescuing an injured officer
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In his remembrance, Captain Batra’s name is used by the Indian Army for various constructions and cantonments
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2003 movie LOC Kargil was made as a tribute to the soldiers of the Kargil war. Reportedly, Abhishek Bachchan played Captain Batra’s role
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He was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra after his death
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Vikram Batra was the last recipient of the Param Vir Chakra
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As his signal to communicate the success of his missions, Captain Batra was also well known for using the slogan “Yeh Dil Maange More!”
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According to the then Chief of the Army staff, had he returned from the Kargil war, Vikram Batra would have been the General of the Indian Army
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A lot of constructions and cantonments have been named after him such as a hall at Service Selection Centre Allahabad is named ‘Vikram Batra Block’, a residential area in the Jabalpur Cantonment is called ‘Captain Vikram Batra Enclave’ and the combined cadet’s mess at the Indian Medical Association is named ‘Vikram Batra Mess’.