My Hero: Vishal Batra Remembers His Brother Captain Vikram Batra

In a twist of fate, I received the last letter my brother Vikram penned to me after his untimely death. He wrote: “Arre yaar, don’t take tensions and keep doing your bit faithfully and sincerely. God is looking at everyone and he will definitely reward one day. I am sure you will rise very high in your life. Take life in your stride.”

In hindsight, these final words of advice seemed to portend that he wouldn’t be around much longer to impart his wisdom to me.

To share a womb, and almost every living moment thereafter, is a feeling unlike any other. One cannot understand the bond between twins, especially identical ones, if they haven’t experienced it themselves.

Vikram and I were two peas in a pod, best friends, alter egos, confidantes, sounding boards and soulmates. Whether we were attempting to best each other at the highest level of sports—table tennis and karate were our favourites—or taking on the other’s identity when the situation demanded it (as was the case when Vikram had to sit for an exam that coincided with an important class in another city), we were inseparable.

It is undisputed that Param Vir Chakra Capt. Vikram Batra is a national hero, lauded for his tremendous bravery on the harshest battlefield of Kargil. But, as my identical twin, born just 14 minutes before me, he is also my personal hero.

We were both bitten by the military bug as children, while watching the show Param Vir Chakra on Doordarshan. It became a lifelong dream for us to serve our nation. Vikram cracked it in his first attempt, breezing through the exams and interviews, while I couldn’t move past the scrutiny of the selection board. This forced separation, however, never broke us apart. In hindsight, I saw that fate always had different things planned for us.

He was mischievous and playful, even while handling many responsibilities. I clearly remember him sneaking me into his private barracks at the Indian Military Academy during his training, which was strictly frowned upon. We achieved this feat only because I could pass off for him if caught.

Vikram loved a challenge. It was this ability that held him in good stead both in sports and in the face of enemy crossfire. The bullet which finally broke his spirit would not have found its target, had he not run atop the ledge and jumped to confront the enemy stationed below, killing them one by one in hand-to-hand combat. It was here that the sniper’s cunning bullet found its mark straight to Vikram’s heart. To most people this sounds like a foolhardy action but to Vikram, it was a chance to save his men, while paving the way for India to capture the peak that eventually led India to victory in the war.

Though I mourn the loss of my brother, my hero, I’m aware that he would never have done things differently. He was a man of action, a man of his word, deeply empathetic and a man who brought confidence to others around him. When he was selected for the army, and I wasn’t, he built up my confidence while maintaining humility. Similarly, when his comrade Naveen Nagappa was severely injured in that fateful final battle, he didn’t hesitate once to pull him to safety even as incessant firing continued from every side.

Vikram was a fine human being and a gentleman soldier. He was also a brother and a son. He had enjoyed a fruitful school life, a fun-filled college life, a rewarding sporting life and a special bond with his love, Dimple Cheema. His legacy will live on much longer than his premature 24 years of life. He is an icon for the nation, but for me, he will always be my other half, taken from me too soon. 

Vishal Batra’s new book Yeh Dil Maange More: Remembering Captain Vikram Batra, My Brother, written in collaboration with Anupma Mehta, has been published by Penguin Veer

As told to Noor Anand Chawla