Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 13 Jun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday visited the Dehradun residence of Padma Shri awardee and internationally acclaimed shooter Jaspal Rana, who passed away on Friday at a private hospital in New Delhi. In addition, Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan and Olympic medalist Manu Bhakar and many dignitaries including former CM Tirath Singh Rawat, veteran Congress leader Harish Rawat were among those who paid tribute to Rana. Jaspal Rana was accorded full State honours at his Dehradun residence before his mortal remains were flown to Varanasi in an air ambulance Saturday for the final rites. A native of Chilamu village in Tehri district, Rana had stunned the world at the age of 18 by setting a world record and went on to bring glory to India in the Commonwealth and Asian Games. He later transitioned to coaching and guided Manu Bhaker to two historic bronze medals at the Paris Olympics.
It may be recalled that his mortal remains were brought from Delhi to Dehradun last evening and kept at his residence this morning to allow the public to pay their last respects. A large number of people gathered through the night and morning, including several shooters and trainees, who were deeply affected by the news. The ongoing national shooting camp at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur, Dehradun was suspended as athletes mourned his demise. Sources close to the family said Rana had deep faith in Lord Shiva and the Ganga and had expressed a wish during his lifetime that his final rites be performed in Varanasi.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the family to offer condolences, laying floral tributes and praying for peace to the departed soul. He met the grieving relatives and wished them strength to bear the loss, describing Rana’s death as an irreparable loss for both the state and the country. Earlier, Manu Bhaker visited the residence to pay her respects but was too distraught to speak to the media.
The CM offered floral tributes to the mortal remains and expressed deep condolences on his demise. He also prayed for peace to the departed soul and wished strength and courage for the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Dhami met the grieving family members and conveyed his sympathies, praying that the departed soul may find place at the divine feet. Jaspal Rana, a native of Chilamu village in Tehri district, was serving as the High‑Performance Coach for India’s pistol shooters. He had returned from Munich after the ISSF World Cup, during which he had complained of chest pain. He underwent stent surgery at Max Hospital in Delhi and was recovering, but the sudden turn of events on Thursday night left the sporting fraternity and the nation shocked.
Rana had stunned the world at the age of 18 by setting a world record and went on to bring glory to India in the Commonwealth and Asian Games. His contribution to Indian shooting and his role as a mentor to the next generation of marksmen will be remembered as a lasting legacy.
