Mohali’s YPS Chowk rechristened after martyr Lt Col Bikramjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 26

As a mark of respect to martyr Lt Col Bikramjit Singh, who was posthumously decorated with the Shaurya Chakra for his action during a terrorist strike on his unit in Samba in Jammu and Kashmir two years ago, the Mohali district administration today renamed the prominent YPS Chowk in the township as Shaheed Lt Col Bikramjit Singh Shaurya Chakra Chowk.

The plaque was unveiled by the officer’s father Maj Paramjit Singh (retd), who was the chief guest on the occasion. “It is a proud moment for the family,” he said. “That the event has taken place on the occasion of my son’s second barsi makes it more significant,” he added.

The renaming of the chowk, also popularly known as Dolphin Chowk, had been ordered by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Mohali Deputy Commissioner Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu and Mayor Kulwant Singh, both of whom were expected at the event, however gave it a miss.

Though Lt Col Bikramjit was from Chandigarh, Punjab has a policy to honour martyrs who are associated with the state and had also offered a job to his widow.

Apart from the martyr’s family members and well wishers, the Director of the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Maj Gen IP Singh, Maj Gen KS Bhullar, Director, Defence Services Welfare, Brig JS Arora, Army officers from the Western Command and representatives from his unit and an additional deputy commissioner from the district administration attended the function.

“The proposal had been lingering on for the past two years and was required to be pushed through. We had included it in the agenda of the quarterly Zila Sainik Board meeting held last month, where it finally materialised,” said District Sainik Welfare Officer Col PS Bajwa.

Lt Col Bikramjit Singh, then 37 years old with 14 years of service, was the second-in-command of the 16 Cavalry that came under terrorist attack on September 26, 2013.

Besides his aged parents, he had left behind his wife and an 8-year old daughter.

He was decorated for his speedy, tactically sound actions, courageous and bold leadership in the face of mortal danger and for acting swiftly without waiting for a weapon or protective gear, going well beyond the call of duty. By his actions, the officer prevented the breakout of the terrorists towards the officers’ married accommodation complex and provided time for the Unit Quick Reaction Team to move into a tight cordon, thereby preventing further loss of lives, especially those of unarmed women and children.