A SOLDIER IS NEVER OFF DUTY
On 13th June, 1997 Capt Manjinder Singh Bhinder of 61 CAVALRY with his wife Jyot-Roop and four years old son Ruskin, went to see the film “Border” in Uphaar Cinema in Green Park area, New Delhi. While the movie was on, the Hall caught fire.
With poor fire-fighting equipment and exit arrangements, people got trapped inside. Capt Bhinder sent his friend Capt Pattu to get outside help, while he decided to stay inside, to help frantic crowd keep calm and take them out gradually in order. He moved 150 lives to safety.
Unfortunately, he himself and his family succumbed to the tragic death that was the fate of many who were trapped inside, as it became difficult to get proper help.
Capt. Bhinder along with his family died a heroic death in the fire that broke out at the Uphaar Cinema in Delhi.
Captain Manjinder Singh Bhinder was an alumni of PPS Nabha. He was an outstanding sportsman and rider in his school days.
He was Captain of the Riding and Polo team of the NDA in 1990 and IMA in 1991.
Even after commission won innumerable awards in different aspects of riding.
He was about to represent India in Asian Games 1998 at Singapore Unfortunately, he met with his tragic end, before the Games.
He is survived by his father Capt Vardeep Singh (R), his mother and three sisters.
The story doesn’t end there. Parents of Capt Manjinder Bhinder had to fight Ministry of Defence babus for the pension they were entitled to, who hung on to the technicality that Capt Bhinder had not been fighting enemies.
It was overturned by the accounts department. After seven years of litigation, the Delhi High Court told the MoD that a soldier is ON DUTY ROUND THE CLOCK, and Capt Bhinder saved lives of 150 people. Thus, High Court ordered a special family pension for Manjinder’s parents.
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