Who Was Kamal Kanta Batra? Wiki, Age, Husband, Kids, Death Cause & BIO of Captain Vikram Batra’s Mother
Kamal Kanta Batra, the mother of the Kargil war hero Captain Vikram Batra, passed away on February 14, 2024, at the age of 77. She died of natural causes at her home in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India. She is survived by her husband, Girdhari Lal Batra, and her two children, Seema Batra Sethi and Vishal Batra.
Kamal Kanta was not only a proud mother of a brave soldier but also a politician and a teacher. She had a passion for education and social service, and she dedicated her life to these causes. She was a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and she contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh. She also taught at the Government Senior Secondary School in Palampur for 32 years, before retiring in 2001.
Early Life and Education
Kamal Batra was born in 1947 in Palampur, a scenic town in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. She belonged to a middle-class family, and she had a keen interest in learning and teaching.
She completed her graduation from Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla and then pursued a Bachelor of Education degree. She married Girdhari Lal Batra, a government school principal, in 1968, and they settled in Palampur. They had three children: Seema, Vikram, and Vishal.
Kamal Kanta Batra Wiki/Bio
| Name | Kamal Kanta Batra |
| Date of Birth | 1947 |
| Date of Death | February 14, 2024 |
| Place of Birth | Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Place of Death | Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Age (at the time of death) | 77 years |
| Death Cause | Natural |
| Education | Himachal Pradesh University Shimla |
| Profession | Politician & Teacher |
| Party | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) |
| Husband | Girdhari Lal Batra |
| Children | Seema Batra Sethi, Vikram Batra, and Vishal Batra |
| kamalkantabatra | |
| kamalkanta.batra | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Mother of a Martyr
Kamal Batra’s son, Vikram Batra, was born on September 9, 1974. He was a bright and adventurous child, who excelled in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities. He had a dream of joining the Indian Army, and he fulfilled it by clearing the Combined Defence Services Examination in 1996. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 13th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1997.
Vikram Batra was posted in the Kargil sector in 1999 when the war broke out between India and Pakistan. He led his troops in several daring missions and captured crucial peaks from the enemy. He was given the code name “Shershaah” (Lion King) by his fellow soldiers, for his courage and charisma. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, posthumously, for his valor and sacrifice in the war. He died on July 7, 1999, while rescuing an injured comrade during the Battle of Point 4875. He was only 24 years old.
Kamal Kanta was devastated by the loss of her son, but she also felt proud of his legacy. She said in an interview,
“He was not only my son but the son of the nation. He gave his life for the country, and I am proud of him.”
She also said that she felt his presence around her and that he inspired her to live a meaningful life. She became an active member of the War Widows Association and helped other families who had lost their loved ones in the war. She also supported various initiatives to honor the martyrs and their families, such as the construction of a memorial in Palampur, and the naming of a road in Delhi after Vikram Batra.
Body Measurements & More
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 4″. In Meters: 1.62 m. In Centimetres: 162 cm. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 50-55 kg. In Pounds: 110-121 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown. |
Political Career
Kamal Batra joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2013, after being impressed by its leader, Arvind Kejriwal, and his anti-corruption campaign. She said that she wanted to serve the people and bring about a positive change in the society. She also said that she was inspired by her son’s motto, “Yeh Dil Maange More” (This Heart Wants More), which he used to express his enthusiasm for his missions.
She contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Hamirpur constituency, against the incumbent BJP candidate, Anurag Thakur, who is the son of the former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal. She campaigned on the issues of education, health, the environment, and women’s empowerment.
She also highlighted the plight of the war widows and the ex-servicemen and demanded better facilities and pensions for them. She received a lot of support and admiration from the public, especially the youth, who saw her as a symbol of courage and resilience.
However, she could not win the election, as she secured only 14,652 votes, which was 1.57% of the total votes polled. She came fifth in the race, behind the candidates of BJP, Congress, BSP, and CPI(M). She accepted the defeat gracefully and said that she was happy that she had tried her best. She also said that she would continue to work for the welfare of the people and that she was not disappointed by the outcome.
Social Media Presence
Kamal Batra was active on social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, where she shared her views and opinions on various issues. She also posted pictures and videos of her family, friends, and activities. She had a large following of fans and admirers, who appreciated her spirit and wisdom.
She also received messages of love and support from many celebrities, such as Akshay Kumar, Sidharth Malhotra, and Kiara Advani, who portrayed the roles of Vikram Batra and his girlfriend, Dimple Cheema, in the biopic film, Shershaah, which was released in 2023.
Income Stats & Net Worth
Kamal Batra’s net worth and income sources are not publicly known, but it can be assumed that she had a modest lifestyle and a decent income from her profession as a teacher and a politician.
She retired as a school teacher in 2001, after serving for 32 years at the Government Senior Secondary School in Palampur. She joined the AAP in 2013, and contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, but lost to the BJP candidate, Anurag Thakur. She also received a pension as the mother of a martyr and was involved in various social and charitable activities.
Nationality, Caste, and Religion
Kanta Batra was an Indian by nationality, and a Hindu by religion. She belonged to the Punjabi Khatri caste, which is a sub-group of the Kshatriya varna in the Hindu social hierarchy. She was born and brought up in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, and lived there till her death.
Death and Legacy
Kamal Kanta Batra breathed her last on February 14, 2024, at her home in Palampur. She had been suffering from some health issues for a while, and she died of natural causes. She was cremated with full state honors, and her funeral was attended by many dignitaries, such as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur, the Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, and the AAP leader, Arvind Kejriwal. They paid their respects and condolences to the bereaved family and praised Kamal Batra for her remarkable life and achievements.
Kamal Kanta will always be remembered as a brave and inspiring woman, who faced the tragedy of losing her son with dignity and grace. She will also be remembered as a dedicated and compassionate teacher, who shaped the minds and hearts of many students.
She will also be remembered as a sincere and honest politician, who fought for the rights and welfare of the common people. She will also be remembered as a loving and caring mother, wife, sister, and friend, who touched the lives of many people with her kindness and generosity.
Husband & Kids
Girdhari Lal Batra is the husband of Kamal Batra, and the father of Captain Vikram Batra and his twin brother Vishal Batra. He was a government school principal, and he retired in 1999. He supported his wife’s political career and accompanied her during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
He also helped her in various social and charitable activities. Kamal Kanta Batra and Girdhari Lal Batra had three children: two daughters, Seema and Nutan, and two sons, Vikram and Vishal. Seema and Nutan are married and settled in Mandi and Chandigarh, respectively.
Controversies
Kamal Kanta faced some controversies during her political career and after her son’s death. Some of them are:
In 2014, she was accused of using her son’s martyrdom as a political tool to gain sympathy votes. She was also criticized for joining the AAP, which was seen as an anti-national party by some sections of society. She defended herself by saying that she wanted to serve the nation and the people and that she was inspired by her son’s motto, “Yeh Dil Maange More” (This Heart Wants More).
In 2014, she resigned from the AAP, citing dissatisfaction with its operational and organizational framework. She also alleged that the party did not support her during the elections and that she was not consulted on any important decisions. She said that she felt betrayed and cheated by the party and that she would not join any other political party in the future.
In 2019, she expressed her displeasure over the biopic film, Shershaah, which was based on her son’s life and the Kargil war. She said that she was not consulted or informed by the filmmakers and that she had some objections to the portrayal of her son and his girlfriend, Dimple Cheema, in the film. She also said that she was hurt by the fact that the film was released on the OTT platform, and not in the theatres, as she wanted the whole nation to watch her son’s story on the big screen.
In 2020, she filed a complaint against a fake Facebook account that was created in her name and was spreading false and malicious messages about her and her family. She said that she was not active on any social media platform and that someone was trying to defame her and tarnish her image. She requested the police to take action against the culprits and to delete the fake account.
Who was Vikram Batra?
Vikram Batra was Kamal Kanta Batra’s son, who was an officer in the Indian Army, and a hero of the Kargil War of 1999. He was born on September 9, 1974, in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. He was a bright and adventurous child, who excelled in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities. He had a dream of joining the Indian Army, and he fulfilled it by clearing the Combined Defence Services Examination in 1996. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 13th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1997.
Vikram Batra was posted in the Kargil sector in 1999 when the war broke out between India and Pakistan. He led his troops in several daring missions and captured crucial peaks from the enemy. He was given the code name “Shershaah” (Lion King) by his fellow soldiers, for his courage and charisma. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, posthumously, for his valor and sacrifice in the war. He died on July 7, 1999, while rescuing an injured comrade during the Battle of Point 4875. He was only 24 years old.
Vikram Batra’s story inspired millions of Indians, and he became a symbol of patriotism and bravery. His famous slogan, “Yeh Dil Maange More” (This Heart Wants More), became a popular catchphrase among the youth. His life and achievements were depicted in various books, documentaries, and films, such as the biopic Shershaah, which was released in 2023.
She was a true embodiment of the spirit of “Shershaah”, and she left behind a legacy of courage, service, and patriotism. She was not only the mother of a martyr, but also the mother of the nation. She was Kamal Kanta Batra, and she will always be missed.
