‘Hum saath saath hain.. (We are together). The banner displayed by jawans at the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) base in Shimla sector showed solidarity with Constable Vikram Jeet Singh, 28, who has surprisingly soldiered his way to the small screen.

Giving a stiff competition to singers from across the country, the ITBP Constable has reached the top 16 in a reality show ‘Rising Star’ on TV. 

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His dream is to reach atop the list now, with ITBP officials, his colleagues and people (his voters) fully backing him in the endeavour.

“Along with my job in ITBP, I want to pursue my passion of singing as a playback singer. The two jobs require sensitivity that I possess,” Vikram Jeet told The Statesman.

The ITBP Constable returned on Friday after successfully completing the second round of the show in Mumbai and was received with gusto by the ITBP personnel here.

“In forces, we encourage the sportsmen a lot. So why not a singer?,”said an ITBP official, who too joined Vikram Jeet's welcome.

Vikram Jeet belongs to a family of soldiers in Barnoti village in Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir and joined the ITBP ten years ago.

His father retired as Subedar from SSB and his three brothers are presently serving in Indian Army.

Vikram Jeet picked up singing from one of his brothers, who used to sing in childhood.

“A couple of years ago, my hobby of singing turned into my passion,”said Vikram Jeet, who motivates self by singing patriotic songs while free.

The ITBP constable had casually applied on-line for screening for the show last year and he got selected after auditions at Chandigarh. “Although I was quite nervous when I went to perform first time as my competitors were all professional singers. But a live chat with my higher ups and friends in ITBP in Shimla from there boosted my morale. Since then, there is no looking back,” said Vikram Jeet.

The soldier looks for peaceful place or serenity of the temple on the ITBP campus for singing practice after the duty hours in routine. “Only hard work will take me nearer to my dreams,” he said, as he prepares for the next round of the show slated later this month.