By Satish Sharma
The sudden passing away of Jaspal Rana is a great loss to me on a personal level and a greater loss to our nation and the world of sports.
He was responsible for promoting and popularasing the shooting sport in India.
His father Narayan Singh Rana is a gem of a person and great friend for many years now.
I started my publication Garhwal Post as a weekly in 1996 and I was privileged to have attended Jaspal’s first wedding in the same year at his native Village Chilamu, Nainbagh in District Uttarkashi, near Mussoorie.
Later, the big wedding reception was held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi which was attended by all stalwarts of the BJP, including Atal Behari Vajpayee, Lal Krishan Advani.
Garhwal Post was the only publication which covered his wedding exclusively in the weekly edition.
Later, when Jaspal
joined politics and fought the election on BJP’s ticket from Tehri Constituency in 2009, I travelled with him in the Constituency as his friend, brother, journalist and consultant. Sadly he lost the election and again concentrated on his sport.
He was very fond of all types of music, but when he wanted to relax he used to listen to actor Govinda’s songs.
Also, I must mention here that when he won medals and prize money for the first time, he invested the entire amount in his native Village Chilamu’s home. Interestingly, he was living in a rented house in Sainik Farms, New Delhi; he didn’t buy a home there instead he built his village home.
He was a fun loving person.
I pray to the Almighty to welcome him in His arms and give strength to his family to bear the loss!
We will miss you my dear brother!
Om Shanti!
(The writer is Publisher of Garhwal Post, actor and a film consultant).
Photo courtesy: Dr Anjali Nauriyal
