Vikram Batra: Legends Never Die.

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“Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but courage and the soul.”

No matter freezing cold or scorching heat, our Soldiers risk their lives to guard our freedom. This selfless act of unmatched valour deserves utmost honour. Many soldiers sacrifice their lives during the war while leaving behind their families brokenhearted beyond imagination. Every sacrifice is extraordinary in its way and out of them, one sacrifice is of Vikram Batra whose fearlessness was at par and so was his love. His bravery makes us proud beyond words but at the same time, his incomplete love story does make our eyes moist. 

“Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolor, or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure.” 

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Born in Himachal Pradesh (Palampur), Captain Vikram Batra (13 J&K Rifles), is reckoned as the Kargil war’s Hero. Also fondly known as Sher Shah, he was involved in a most challenging war operation in Kashmir. He played an instrumental role in the Kargil War triumph by recapturing Peak 5140 (situated at an altitude of 17,000 feet.) Despite being seriously injured, he not only did manage to kill a few enemy soldiers but went on to recapture another Peak named Peak 4875. None of his family members could foresee that a call made before these missions would be his last call. In an attempt to save one of the fellow officers, he sacrificed his life. After 60 days since the inception of the war, finally, on 26th July 1999, the Indian Army drove out Pakistani’s intruders while successfully recapturing all the remaining posts that had been captured by Pakistani intruders. Vikram Batra was posthumously awarded one of the highest bravery awards of our Country named “Param Vir Chakra” in 1999. 

 “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.”

However, besides the candid courageous spirit of Vikram Batra, there is something remarkably extraordinary about his life that is still not being forgotten by the Nation. Yes, we are talking about none other than Dimple Cheema, Vikram Batra’s love, who did choose not to marry after his heartrending demise. She and Vikram first met in 1995 at Punjab University. This short-lived meeting soon blossomed into a committed love where both were destined to enter into wedlock after the returning of Vikram from the Kargil. Distance could never weaken their 4 years old bonding rather the love they had for each other only continued to grow strong with time. 

“Love is a choice…..she chose to love him and still chooses to love him….”

Be it filling “Maang” with blood by Vikram or doing parikrama together, Dimple continued treasuring memories one after another only to choose to continue cherishing them even after the Vikram’s soul departed from this world. Till today Dimple believes that Vikram is indeed still around her and is just away on a posting. She takes immense pride while talking about the mettle of Vikram. However, she equally gets vocal about her regret as well as she feels that Vikram should have been alive to listen and share the inspiring stories of his courage. His profound words still echo in her ears that “Take care of what you like, or you will be forced to like what you get.” It is Dimple’s unflinching faith that makes her believe that it is just a matter of time and they are going to meet again. Not many know that character played by Abhishek Bachhan in “LOC Kargil” movie was inspired by the real-life character of Vikram Batra. 

The love shared between the souls of Vikram and Dimple touch somewhere deep beyond the heart. For some, it may evoke a nostalgic sense of loss. The epitome of grace and sacrifice, this unsullied story is worth sharing generation after generation. 

“And then one day
One magic day he passed my way
While we spoke of many things
Fools and Kinds
this is he said to me:
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.”