The story of Captain Vikram Batra and Dimple Cheema is nothing short of a touching tale that signifies pure sacrifice for the country. Our Indian Army jawans fought bravely at the border and Capt. Vikram Batra is another fantastic example of this bravery.
The captain was inducted in the 13 JAK Rifles as a lieutenant on 6th December 1997. He was later also promoted (precisely during the Kargil war) to the rank of a Captain. According to the message intercepted by the Pakistani Army, Captain Batra was referred to as “Sher Shah” by his team as well as his enemy, thanks to his fearless attitude and undying bravery.
He was immortalized on 7th July 1999 during the Kargil war. He died defending his country with his fellow soldiers against the enemy. He was also posthumously honored with the Param Vir Chakra in 1999.
We have all read the highly catchy and engaging tagline of Pepsi, a cold drink brand that says, “Yeh Dil Maange More.” However, what will come as a major surprise to you though is that Vikram Batra used the same exact line during the Kargil war at Tiger Hill as a mark of success for his company.
The Love Story of Captain Batra And Dimple Cheema
Captain Batra intended to get married to Dimple Cheena, his girlfriend, once he was back from the Kargil war. However, he never did. Yet, his death wasn’t really the end of their beautiful love story. Dimple expressed in an interview how Vikram’s love had changed her life and even after his death, how it will continue to stay with her forever.
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The lovebirds first met each other at Punjab University in 1995. They were both enrolled in the university and were both pursuing MA English. The next year, Vikram moved to Dehradun because he got selected at the Indian Military Academy. However, no one knew that the Sher Shah feared by the enemy was actually a totally filmy romantic person by heart.
Due to Batra’s mission, the couple was apart often,and every time her family pressured her into getting married, Vikram would tell Dimple to take care of what she liked,or she might get forced into liking what she gets. The couple frequented the Mansa Devi temple as well as the Gurudwara Sri Nada Sahab.
When they were on one such customary visit and doing the parikrama, he held Dimple’s dupatta and uttered, “Congratulations, Mrs. Batra!” He even professed his undying love for Dimple when on their next visit, she raised the concern of marriage. To this, he cut his thumb with a blade and put the blood as a sign of vermilion on her head. Despite being together for only four years, Dimple lived her life lovingly remembering Vikram even after his death.
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She also shared in the interview that not a single day goes by ever since Vikram died 17 years ago that she feels detached from him. It always feels to her as if he is away at war on another posting. She also confessed to feeling immensely proud of his accomplishments and also talking about them.
Yet, she has some regret deep down in her heart. She said that he should have been there, listening to and sharing the stories of the brave men who died in the war and how he is a massive inspiration to today’s youth. Furthermore, she also shared in the interview that she is certainshe’ll meet Vikram soon again and that it is just a matter of time before she does.
The day on which Captain Vikram Batra died,i.e. 7th July 1999 at the Kargil war, two souls rather than one were sacrificed at the altar of duty.
Kargil Vijay Diwas
The Kargil Vijay Diwas has been named after Operation Vijay was declared to be a success. It is celebrated every 26th July in honor of all the heroes of the Kargil war. It is because the Indian Army succeeded in evicting the Pakistani intruders from Tiger Hill and succeeded in capturing the summit again on July 26th.
The love story of Vikram and Dimple as well as his bravery during the Kargil war is still an inspiration for many.