Pithoragarh, June 13: Uttarakhand on Saturday bid a tearful farewell to ace shooter Rana, whose demise has left the sporting fraternity, ex-servicemen and residents of the hill state in deep shock and grief.
Family members, friends, former colleagues and admirers gathered to pay their last respects to the accomplished marksman, remembering him as a disciplined soldier, a distinguished shooter and an inspiration for the younger generation.
Jaspal Rana was one of India's most decorated shooters and a towering figure in world shooting sports.
He won an astounding 15 medals at the Commonwealth Games, making him India's most successful Commonwealth Games athlete, and bagged multiple medals at the Asian Games, including gold medals that established him as a shooting legend.
Rising to prominence as a teenager, he won an Asian Games gold at just 18 and went on to dominate the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event for over a decade.
After retiring from competition, he became a highly respected coach, guiding Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and helping build India's world-class pistol shooting programme.
For his extraordinary contributions to sport, Rana was honoured with the Arjuna Award (1994), Padma Shri (1997), Dronacharya Award (2020), and Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman (2025). His achievements brought immense glory to India and inspired generations of shooters.
Tributes poured in from across Uttarakhand, with people recalling Rana's contributions to shooting sports and his commitment to serving society even after his active career.
Many described him as a humble and dedicated personality who brought laurels to the state through his achievements.
The sombre atmosphere reflected the profound sense of loss felt by the community. As the final rites were performed, mourners paid emotional tributes, remembering a man whose passion, perseverance and achievements had earned him widespread respect.
Rana's legacy as an outstanding shooter and a proud son of Uttarakhand will continue to inspire generations of sportspersons and youth across the region.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions and accomplishments will remain etched in the memories of those who knew and admired him.
