Shimla. 9 Dogra Battalion has paid tribute in a unique way to Colonel Khushal Chand, son of Himachal and tribal district Lahaul Spiti. Remembering his services to the country, the battalion has installed a bust of Colonel Khushal Chand in the Platinum Jubilee Celebration organized in Gwalior.
It was unveiled on Republic Day on 26 January 2024. Colonel Khushal Chand is the grandfather of Himachal cadre IAS officer Rohan Chand Thakur.
He was a resident of Gemur village of Lahaul Spiti. He joined the Indian Army in 1941, when India had not even gained independence. Colonel Khushal Chand had a huge contribution in keeping Ladakh a part of India. After the country’s independence, he served in the United Nations and during this time he died in an air crash. Then he was only 39 years old. He left behind three children, one of whom is Ashok Thakur, who was just 2 years old at that time. Ashok Thakur later became an IAS officer and retired as Secretary from the Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India in 2014. His son Rohan Chand Thakur is now an IAS officer and is currently MD in HRTC.
