To truly understand Jaspal Rana, you have to look past the medals and understand the space he occupied, the very culture he helped shape. Shaping culture is how you change a nation’s sport. Look at the impact of a Bill Russell, Johan Cruyff or a Kenny Dalglish.
I’ve never met the man. To me, he was always this mysterious, incredibly strong character, so deeply defined by his sport that you wished he could be loaned out to other disciplines. In today’s world, you almost wish we could create AI models of him, clones dropped into different sports systems to disrupt age-old, self-serving processes and to crush the comfortable myths about coaching we so dearly hold onto.
He was a remarkably handsome man whose sharp demeanour on and off the range defined not just himself, but the sport of shooting in India. He gave it an attitude.
In sport, you hear a lot of stories, but Milan in 1994 reads like a movie script. On the eve of the Junior World Championships, Rana was hospitalized with a painful boil on his knee that would have required surgery. Refusing to miss the event, he practically escaped the hospital with his coach. Overnight, the boil burst. By morning, the leg was badly swollen. He literally cut his jeans into shorts to compete. Refused painkillers fearing a doping violation. Sleep-deprived and in terrible pain, he just hoped to finish. Instead, he shot a 569, won World Championship gold, and set a Junior World Record. A legend was born.
We talk about legacy loosely these days, but Rana earned his. Transitioning to the coach’s chair, he brought that same intensity. He possessed a rare ability to not just spot talent, but to recreate it, winning gold. It wasn’t just training athletes; it was reshaping their destinies.
Indian sport has too many knee-benders, characters who blend into the background to keep their motors purring comfortably. A force like Rana stood out because he proved that champions only emerge when a system is thoroughly disrupted. In a world of diplomatic coaches, happy to pile on international miles without a coherent strategy, Rana was the catalyst. He shook the system, made people uncomfortable, but left it stronger and victorious. Time, however, always falls short for such men.
📸 Courtesy: Pankaj Sharma
#jaspalrana #shooting #rana
#indiansport
With profound grief and a heavy heart, we regret informing the sad and untimely demise of our founding President, Vadm HCS Bisht PVSM, AVSM (Retd) on 03 Jun at Dehradun.
On a visit to Devbhumi, SurgVAdm Arti Sarin #DGAFMS interacted with members of @DoonNavyVeteran during a working Lunch hosted by @IN_NHO_DEHRADUN. The Flag Officer was briefed about the status of wellness of naval veteran officers at Doon by the President #NFDNC
Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi , PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM, NM
Currently Governor of Andaman & Nicobar island. Born in Almora, Uttarakhand
He is a specialist in anti-submarine warfare. He resigned on 26 February 2014, taking responsibility for a series of accidents, thus becoming the first Indian Navy Chief to resign. A man on mission with total accountability. China is worried so is Congress.
The great Nicobar project, is his strategic vision and he will fulfill it .
#thegreatnicobarproject #NicobarProject
On 4 Dec, a #navyday function "Sahyog se Samriddhi" was held at NHO. The event was graced by the Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand in which he also met members of @DoonNavyVeteran & hailed the contributions of Naval veterans in protecting the nation’s maritime interests.
@NAVYESM
@monikahalan Thanks , Monica for sharing. But I am not able to understand, what happened in 1820, because of which there was a major shifts in the share of almost all countries? Regards.
Indian Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi today commended Major Bachwala Rohit for demonstrating exceptional professional acumen and selfless commitment beyond the call of duty.
On 5 July 2025, while proceeding on leave from Military Hospital Jhansi to his hometown of Hyderabad, he was involved in a critical medical intervention that exemplified the highest standards of military service. At Jhansi Railway Station, he noticed a woman in visible distress near the lift area. She had fallen from a wheelchair and was in advanced labour. Major Rohit’s swift and decisive action, under non-clinical and resource-constrained circumstances, is a testament to his medical proficiency, composure under pressure, and unwavering commitment to the ethos of the Armed Forces: Indian Army.
(Pics - Indian Army)
AGM of @DoonNavyVeteran held on 29 Jun which included remembrance of lost colleagues, debrief of 32nd AGM/ GCM, agenda for 2025 followed by SGT. Stripes presented to Capts promoted vide NHQ letter of 07 May. Thanks to @NestleIndia for presenting hampers to Veterans.
@NAVYESM
A Social Get-together of members & spouses of @DoonNavyVeteran was held at @aarhotel on 16 Feb. Besides briefing by President on current issues including the latest ECHS seminar conducted by UKSA, a talk on wellness/ yoga was given by members followed by Housie & Lunch.
@NAVYESM
Folks, this Republic Day brought many pleasant surprises. For one, many contemporaries now in the highest echelons of all the three Services, were awarded the PVSM/AVSM for distinguished service.
Second, Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans, the son of a popular NDA coursemate Col RS Hans, was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his daredevil feat of flying & safely landing a MIG 29, after its canopy was blown off.
Third, Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, the current GOC Delhi Area was the Overall Parade Commander. We both attended the 55th Staff Course (1999 - 2000) at #DSSCWellington. Even better, history was created with his son Lt Ahan Kumar also participating in the parade as the Contingent Cdr of 61st Cavalry. Bhavnish is the very essence of top class professionalism and genial amiabilty.
But at a personal level, the most heartwarming story for us in the @indiannavy was young #LtCdrSaahilAhluwalia leading the Naval Contingent. Again history was being created here, because his Father & our coursemate (68 NDA) @Raviahlu had led the Naval Contingent in 1991. While the Father (who also attended the 55th SC) retired three years ago, as a Commodore, after a distinguished career, young Saahil is already making waves with his smart drill & tall, striking personality. Just last month, he was the Guard Commander for the Hon'ble @rashtrapatibhvn during the @indiannavy #OperationalDemo at Puri, Orrisa.
For those of us who have seen the young man since he was a tiny tot and watched him bloom & blossom over the years, there is great pride & happiness in one of our own continuing the tradition and earning laurels.
Come to think of it, India & our Armed Forces are sustained by a tradition of service among some families. Generations after generations follow in the wake of their predecessors to serve with honour & pride. Its a story that's waiting to be told.
The finest moment for many of us was when Lt Gen Bhavnish on learning that Lt Cdr Saahil was leading the Naval Contingent went upto him and interacted with him before the parade. (See pic).
His comments thereafter are worth noting.
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What a thrilling moment at Vijay Chowk this morning, just before the Parade. Meeting Sahil, a tall and very smart officer, was truly a delight. Many congratulations, Sahil, for fabulous marching by the Naval Contingent led by you.
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This was excellent leadership & true essence of jointmanship. Wonderful vibes all around. Greetings on the #RepublicDay.
Also see 👇
https://t.co/U34Oy1YVdW
@PadmajaParulkar@bhav5kum@Cmde_GPrakash@gauripokhariyal@SandeepUnnithan@Aryan_warlord@_ShivaniSD@37VManhas@abhilashtomy
@Urmimala_A
@megirish2001@UmaSudhindra@Maverickmusafir@CaptDKS@MukulAsthana5
Lt Cdr Saahil Ahluwalia will lead the Navy contingent at Republic Day, 34 years after his father, Cmde (Retired) Ravi Ahluwalia. Saahil is the Gunnery Officer on INS Mysore.
@KamalikaSengupt | #RepublicDay#RepublicDayParade2025#IndianNavy
https://t.co/3R6Gz2w8Kj