Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to the late Indian shooting legend and Padma Shri awardee Jaspal Rana during his 'Tehravin' (13th-day memorial ceremony) held at Majhaun in Dehradun.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh prayed for strength and courage for Rana's family members as they cope with the immense loss of one of India's most celebrated sportspersons and coaches. He highlighted that Rana played a pivotal role in reshaping and elevating the identity of Indian shooting on the global stage, adding that his immense contributions to the world of sports will continue to be remembered for years to come.
On the occasion, Rajnath Singh met members of the bereaved family, expressed his deep condolences. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also paid rich tributes to Jaspal Rana, saying that he had brought immense pride and glory to Uttarakhand and the nation through his outstanding performances at national and international levels.
The Chief Minister noted that Rana's legacy would continue to serve as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations of athletes. The memorial ceremony was attended by several prominent leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Uttarakhand Ministers Saurabh Bahuguna and Khajan Das, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament Mahesh Sharma, Ajay Bhatt, and Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP MLA Pankaj Singh, and other dignitaries.
Jaspal Rana, a Dronacharya Award-winning coach and recipient of the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, passed away in New Delhi on June 13 after battling health complications. He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in South Delhi. Widely regarded as one of India's greatest shooters, Rana enjoyed an illustrious career spanning more than three decades.
He remains India's most successful athlete at the Commonwealth Games, winning 15 medals, including nine gold medals, across four editions of the competition. His achievements also included four gold medals and one silver medal at the Asian Games.
He secured a gold medal at the 1994 World Shooting Championships in Milan with a record-setting performance and equalled the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event during the 2006 Doha Asian Games. After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana dedicated himself to coaching and talent development.
As a mentor, he played a key role in nurturing several top Indian shooters, including Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary. At the time of his demise, Rana was serving as India's high-performance coach for pistol events, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Indian sport.