Randhir Prasad Verma
A commemorative postage stamp on Ranadhir Prasad Varma, an Indian police officer died while trying to resist a robbery attempt in a bank in Dhanbad [part of the series ‘Ashoka Chakra Winners‘] :
Issued by India
Issued on Oct 8, 2004
Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of two commemorative postage stamps in honour of Neerja Bhanot and Randhir Prasad Verma.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : Se–tenant pair of 2 Stamps, Mint Condition
Colour : Multicolour
Denomination : 500 & 500 Paise
Print Quantity : 0.6 Million Each
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printer : India Security Press, Nashik
Name : Randhir Prasad Verma
Born on Feb 3, 1952 at Jagatpur, Saharsa district, Bihar, India [now Supaul district, Bihar]
Died on Jan 3, 1991 at Dhanbad, Bihar, India
About :
- Ashoka Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour of self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded posthumously.
- The medal was originally established in 1952 as the ‘Ashoka Chakra Class I’ as the first step of a three class sequence of non-combatant bravery decorations. In 1967, these decorations were removed from the ‘class-based’ system and renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. Officers, men on different operations, civilians, airline crew and even Russian Cosmonauts were awarded this medal in due recognition of their gallantry.
- Indeed, Ashoka Chakra awardees live in the hearts of millions. Their acts of bravery bedazzle, leaving an afterglow forever.
- Randhir Prasad Verma was a person who made a glorious history in a short life span and made his country proud by displaying extraordinary courage, bravery and dedication to his duty.
- He was born on 3rd February 1952 in Saharsha district of Bihar. His qualities of enthusiasm and dedication started showing up when he was studying in St. John’s School, Ranchi and Patna College, Patna. He was extremely fond of sports and made a mark in cricket also.
- He joined the Indian Police Services in 1974. He eliminated the gang of notorious ‘Matka Gamblers’. He also smashed the gang of another notorious criminal, Kamdev Singh, in the initial training period of his police service.
- He was sent to the turbulent Singhbhoom district which was in the grip of the Kolhan movement.
- On the fateful day of 3rd January 1991, Randhir Prasad Verma, posted in Dhanbad as the Superintendent of Police, learnt about an attempted robbery in the Hirapur branch of the Bank of India. He rushed to the spot accompanied only by his bodyguards, and entered the building. He met with a hail of gunfire. He took out his service revolver and asked the robbers to surrender. One of them fired upon him with his automatic weapon. Shri Verma was badly wounded, still he managed to shoot one down. He was again fired upon which proved fatal. Showing exceptional dare-devilry and courage, Randhir Prasad Verma laid down his life. The robbers, after killing him, tried to escape but were caught by the stunned spectators and two of them were lynched by the mob.
- By his act of gallantry, Shri Randhir Prasad Verma set an example for the society. By not being intimidated despite being outnumbered by the robbers who possessed superior weapons, he displayed that it’s the quality and motivation of the man that decides the course of history.
- Text : Based on material given by the proponent.
[…] Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of two commemorative postage stamps in honour of Neerja Bhanot and Randhir Prasad Verma. […]