YEH DIL MANGE MORE

“Mom, please tell me about Shershah, the Hero of Kargil”- My son Arun was eager to know about Captain Batra.

“OK son, I will tell you about the brave patriot whose slogan was Yeh Dil Mange More,” I told him.

“Vikram Batra was born on 9 September 1974 in Himachal Pradesh. His parents were Shri G. L. Batra and Smt Jai Kamal Batra. He completed his schooling at D.A.V. Public School, Palampur and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Palampur. He became a recipient of the Best Cadet of N.C.C. (Air Wing) in North Zone during his B.Sc. degree in D. A. V College of Chandigarh. He was ready to join the Merchant Navy, with his uniform stitched and tickets booked, but at the very last minute changed his mind and decided to join the Indian Army. He was commissioned in the Indian Army as a Lieutenant of the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK Rif).

This regiment was asked to reach Dras on 12 June 1999 as a reserve to 18 Grenadiers for the capture of Tololing. After capturing Tololing on 17 June, the next task for 13 JAK Rifles was the capture of Point 5140, at an approximate height of 15,000 feet above sea level. This peak was one of the most difficult peaks in the Dras region. The task to recapture this Point was given to Lt Vikram Batra and Lt Sanjeev Jamwal. All were aware that climbing up the hill and reaching the top would be very challenging, as the enemy was bringing down regularly very effective artillery fire on the troops. True to the proverb, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough gets going’, both Companies continued to climb up against all odds. With a strategy in hand, Vikram Batra decided to lead his men from the opposite side of the enemy, to surprise them. Vikram Batra and his team finally captured the peak.

This operation was considered as one of the toughest campaigns in mountain warfare. Vikram Batra and his leadership qualities were highlighted in the national headlines. His victory was flashed on television screens across the country. Lt Batra was promoted to the rank of Captain, on the battlefield itself. During this attack, there was no casualty on the Indian side. After this, Capt Vikram Batra craved for more such valiant actions and bringing home accolades. More was yet to come! Soon, 13 JAK Rifles was sent for operations in the Mushkoh valley for the capture of Point 4875. Having proved their worth and valour, Vikram’s team was given the task. The hill had narrow paths with steep sides and was heavily guarded by the enemy. With the previous victory still fresh in mind, the enthused team intelligently engaged themselves in effective combat but the heavy firing started to take its toll. Capt Vikram Batra kept attacking the enemy, killing five of them at point-blank range. The early morning hours of sub-zero temperatures could not dampen the spirit of this brave soldier. Capt Batra, all charged up roared his battle cry ‘Jai Mata Di!’, attacked the enemy with full vigor, refusing to be stopped. It was while evacuating an injured soldier that he was shot at, fatally.

He shifted aside his fellow soldier, saying, “Tu bal-bachchedar hai, hat ja peeche!” (You have children, move aside), and stood up to face the enemies. A shell ripped through his mid-waist and he collapsed with the words ‘Jai Mata Di!’ on his lips. Capt Vikram Batra’s sacrifice and heroic act prompted his company to advance further and capture the Ledge, which in turn enabled his battalion to regain its hold on Point 4875.

For his gallant act, unmatched bravery and endurance, the Government of India honored him with the country’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra posthumously and renamed Point 4875 as ‘Capt Vikram Batra Top.’

To commemorate his sacrifice and leadership qualities, the Indian Army has named various significant buildings and cantonments after him. A hall at Service Selection Centre, Allahabad has been named ‘Vikram Batra Block’, a residential area in the Jabalpur Cantonment is called ‘Capt Vikram Batra Enclave’ and the Combined Cadets Mess at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun is named as ‘Vikram Batra Mess’. The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan during May-July 1999, along the Line Of Control(LOC), in Kargil District of J&K. It was known as ‘Operation Vijay’ and the victory was ours. But many soldiers became martyrs. 4 brave soldiers (2 Officers and 2 Jawans) were awarded the PVC.

Captain Vikram Batra was a brave officer and patriot. His slogan about victory “Ye Dil Mange More” is memorable. He fought like a lion and got injured with a bullet in the chest while evacuating an injured soldier. But he continued to fight with enemies. He shifted aside a fellow soldier and stood up to face enemies and was fatally hit by an Artillery splinter. Displaying extraordinary bravery and leadership, he made the supreme sacrifice for our nation. During his last visit home, when one of his friends cautioned him to be careful in the war, he replied, “I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I’ll come for sure.”

 “Great, Mom! What an inspiring story!” Arun replied.

 “Absolutely dear Arun. Salutes to the brave patriot!” I replied wiping my tears. The life and deeds of this brave martyr will always inspire new generations.

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Dr Major Nalini Janardhanan