Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Army dedicates Lucknow sports complex to Param Vir Chakra hero
A big new indoor sports center has been built in Lucknow, India.
The Indian Army named it after a very brave soldier, Lt Col Dhan Singh Thapa.
He fought in a war between India and China in 1962.
He led just 28 soldiers guarding a mountain post near Pangong Lake.
A much bigger Chinese force attacked them with heavy guns.
Thapa and his men fought back again and again before the post was finally captured.
He was taken prisoner and his side first thought he had died.
After the war, he was given the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest award for bravery in battle.
He came home in May 1963 and stayed in the Army until he retired in 1980.
The new sports complex reminds everyone of his courage and helps inspire young people.
The Indian Army dedicated a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex at Surya Khel Parisar in Lucknow Cantonment to Param Vir Chakra awardee Lt Col Dhan Singh Thapa.
During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, then Major Thapa commanded a 28-soldier detachment of 1/8 Gorkha Rifles at Sirijap-1 post, north of Pangong Lake.
On October 20, 1962, heavily outnumbered and under intense artillery and mortar fire, Thapa's men repulsed repeated Chinese assaults before the post was eventually overrun.
Thapa was taken prisoner and initially presumed killed in action, and was later awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime gallantry award.
Repatriated in May 1963, he continued his military service, retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1980, settled in Lucknow, and died in 2005.
- Who
- Param Vir Chakra awardee Lt Col Dhan Singh Thapa, honored by the Indian Army; his daughters attended as chief guests, along with Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta of Surya Command.
- What
- The Indian Army dedicated a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex at Surya Khel Parisar in Lucknow Cantonment to honor Thapa's bravery during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
- When
- The dedication was reported on August 12; Thapa's heroic stand occurred on October 20, 1962, and he died in 2005.
- Where
- Surya Khel Parisar, Lucknow Cantonment; the 1962 battle took place at Sirijap-1 post, north of Pangong Lake.
- Why
- To serve as a lasting tribute to Thapa's valour and inspire future generations.
- Facility
- State-of-the-art indoor sports complex for sports, fitness and wellness
- Location
- Surya Khel Parisar, Lucknow Cantonment
- Honoree
- Lt Col Dhan Singh Thapa, Param Vir Chakra awardee
- Award
- Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime gallantry award
- Battle
- October 20, 1962, at Sirijap-1 post, north of Pangong Lake
- Unit
- 28-soldier detachment, 1/8 Gorkha Rifles
- Repatriation
- May 1963
- Service and death
- Retired as lieutenant colonel in 1980; died in 2005