Panjab University(PU), Chandigarh dedicated State of Art Indoor Shooting Range in honour of Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra, PVC, Kargil War Hero here today. Sh. Manpreet Badal, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Government of Punjab unveiled the plaque of Captain Batra at the shooting range, PU. Hon’ble Finance Minister, while referring to the brave sacrifice of Captain Batra, said that many people come and go from this world but some people come but never go, they become immortal.
He urged the youth to take the pledge for fighting against drug addiction, bribery, poverty and unemployment. He conveyed from his heart the message from the land of Punjab that there should be no compromise on the bravery and dedication for saving the nation from all outside forces. He also appreciated Prof. Arun K. Grover, Vice Chancellor for taking the initiative of dedicating the shooting range in name of Captain Vikram Batra. Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, while expressing gratitude to Government of Punjab and Hon’ble Minister of Finance, said that it is a great honour of Panjab University to dedicate the shooting range as ‘Capt. Vikram Batra, PVC Shooting Range’.
The VC further added that he was an alumnus of Panjab University who stayed in Hostel No. 1 at the PU Campus, pursuing MA English in 1995-96 Session after completing his B.Sc. from DAV College, Sector-10, Chandigarh. Col. Rajiv Kapoor, CO, 13 JAK RIF while complementing the Punjab Government and the University for the noble deed of naming the shooting range said that Capt. Vikram Batra was one in a billion having three characteristics namely passion for country, compassion for subordinates and common public and bravery of the highest level.
He shared the journey of Capt. Batra as a baby of the Battalion to a Hero of the Nation. His bravery, sacrifice, charm, infectious smile still nests all hearts. He further added that Heroes never die, they live on. Sh. Vishal Batra, twin brother of Capt. Batra, emotionally thanked everyone on Martyrdom Day of Capt. Batra and said that he was a great inspiration for youngsters. Lt. Gen. K.J. Singh, AVSM (Retd.), Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair Professor, Department of Defence & National Security Studies, PU in his welcome address said that Capt. Batra made impossible to possible by showing his bravery in the Kargil war. He informed that Pakistan called him ‘Sher Shah’. Col. G.S.Chadha (Retd.), Registrar, PU expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Punjab for accelerating the process in helping to achieve this deadline of organizing this event on the Martyrdom Day i.e. 7th July, 2018. The event was also graced by Major General K. Manmeet Singh and Subedar Sanjay Kumar, PVC, 13 JAK RIF. Senior officials of PU were also present on the occasion. Earlier, Hon’ble Punjab Finance Minister unveiled the plaque of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Arts Block II, PU.
