The martyrdom of legendary soldier Captain Vikram Batra, who was given Param Veer Chakra in 1999 posthumously for his valor in the Kargil War, has now been immortalised in a war comic.
The first edition of the comic book was released in New Delhi jointly by former Army Chief General VP Malik and GL Batra, father of Captain Vikram Batra, at the Indian Habitat Center on February 1.
The comic is the creation of 28-year-old merchant navy officer, Aditya Bakshi, whose father GD Bakshi is a general in the Indian Army. Bakshi hopes his effort will motivate the young generation to join the Indian Army.
“I was deeply influenced by Captain Vikram Batra. The Indian Army needs officers like him,” Bakshi told Hindustan Times, over the phone.
“These days we find not many youngsters are keen to join the defence forces,” he said, adding, that comics were more enduring than storybooks. The war comic is priced Rs 50. However Bakshi intends to bring it down to a nominal Rs 20.
“Unlike other comics for children, the graphics are realistic enough to appeal to older readers as well,” he said. Captain Vikram Batra’s father GL Batra, who runs a filling station in Palampur is appreciative of Bakshi’s gesture.
{{/usCountry}}“Unlike other comics for children, the graphics are realistic enough to appeal to older readers as well,” he said. Captain Vikram Batra’s father GL Batra, who runs a filling station in Palampur is appreciative of Bakshi’s gesture.
{{/usCountry}}“He has done a marvelous job,” he said. According to GL Batra, Bakshi collected stories and anecdotes on the war hero from family and his son’s unit, 13 Jammu And Kashmir Rifles,” said GL Batra.
“My son was fond of comics. I think Aditya’s effort will inspire others,” he said.