Capt Vikram Batra’s name missing on Panjab University shooting range signboard

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20

Two years on, the Panjab University authorities are yet to install a single sign board outside “Capt Vikram Batra, PVC, Shooting Range”, to guide visitors on the campus.

On July 7, 2018, the PU dedicated its state-of-the-art indoor shooting range to the Kargil war hero, Capt Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra (PVC), on his martyrdom anniversary.

Also read: Vikram Batra, a man of his word

Although a brief history about Captain Batra has been beautifully imprinted inside the shooting range, the signage and landmark board, outside the arena, refers to it as “Panjab University Shooting Range”.

Not only this, there has been no site about the actual name of the shooting range even on the website of the Directorate of Sports, PU. There has been no mention of this range under the “infrastructural facility” column and the forms to get membership also term it as “University Shooting Range”.

“We will get it checked and rectify it. This is a very small thing,” said a senior official, seeking anonymity.

Most residents living on the campus are unaware about the name of this range. “I was not aware of its name. We usually term it as a PU shooting range, which is written on the signage. If hostel names are well written outside the buildings and on the landmark boards, the same should be done here,” said a professor, not willing to reveal his name.

In 2018, a plaque of Captain Batra was unveiled at the shooting range in the presence of his brother Vishal Batra. Captain Batra, a Palampur native, was an alumnus of the PU and had stayed at Hostel No. 1 on the campus. He pursued MA-English in 1995-96 after completing his BSc from DAV College, Sector 10. 

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