Lucknow’s Surya Sports Complex Renamed Dhan Singh Thapa Sports Complex to Honour PVC Hero
The Army’s Surya Sports Complex in Lucknow has been formally dedicated to Major Dhan Singh Thapa, Param Vir Chakra, and renamed the Dhan Singh Thapa Sports Complex, in a tribute to the 1/8 Gorkha Rifles officer remembered for his courage and sacrifice during the 1962 Battle of Ladakh.
The ceremony was led by Major Thapa’s daughters, Smt Pomela Chauhan and Ms Poornima Thapa, giving the occasion a deeply personal character. Also present were Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, Mrs Ruchira Sengupta, Regional President of the Army Wives Welfare Association, as well as senior Army officers and Surya Command personnel.
The renaming honours a soldier whose name remains closely associated with battlefield bravery. Major Dhan Singh Thapa, of 1/8 Gorkha Rifles, displayed exceptional leadership and courage in the 1962 conflict in Ladakh, actions for which he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry honour.
By dedicating the sports complex in his name, the Army has sought to ensure that Major Thapa’s legacy is carried forward beyond military history and into a public space meant for younger generations. The intent behind the move is not only commemorative, but also educational and inspirational: to keep alive the story of a decorated soldier whose devotion to duty continues to resonate.
The newly named Dhan Singh Thapa Sports Complex will continue to function as a sporting facility, but it is also intended to serve as a visible and lasting reminder of the values Major Thapa came to represent. In linking a sports venue with his memory, the Army has tied the pursuit of sporting excellence to ideals such as discipline, determination, courage and service.
The presence of his daughters underscored the continuity of that legacy through both family and the wider military community. Their role in leading the dedication ceremony added emotional weight to an event designed to honour not just a decorated officer’s wartime record, but the enduring example he left behind.
Army authorities expect the Dhan Singh Thapa Sports Complex to stand as a permanent symbol of the spirit associated with one of India’s most celebrated soldiers. The renamed facility is intended to inspire young people to uphold the highest ideals of courage, duty and service to the nation while preserving the memory of Major Thapa’s sacrifice for years to come.
