A soldier is above god: A tribute to Captain “Baba” Harbhajan Singh

A Soldier A Saint : Baba Harbhajan Singh ki Jai 🙏

                                            Baba Harbhajan Singh                                  

It was October 1968, a young Indian soldier of only 22 years of age, is serving in the inhospitable high-altitude terrain of the Eastern Himalayas. Life threat is a common factor in such places as mountains are not a merciful place for accommodation or mobility. And the additional danger involved due the disturbed political situation in Nathu La, a mountain pass between Tibet and Sikkim. The memory of the recent series of war fought in the neighboring places during last year is still fresh, while the dead bodies of his fellow soldiers penetrated by bullets and shells were scattered around this place. He is caring the heavy responsibility to guard this region, for a little laxity from his end such history may repeat and may cost the lives of his fellow comrades.

Tributes offered by the devotees (In front of Baba Mandir)

The threat of war is always on, as the People Liberation Army (PLA) of China is sneaking for a little chance to stretch their border.  So the military outposts should be full of supplies all the time and be ready for any sudden ambush by the PLA. The responsibility of carrying the supplies to the remote outpost through the precarious routes and glaciers at the 14,500 feet (4,400 m) is on the young soldier. He is leading a column of mules carrying supplies over a glacier and suddenly everything goes dark.

View from old "Baba" mandir
The actual bunker of Baba Harbhajan Singh

His fellow soldiers got anxious once he didn’t reach within time, some thought he ran away due to the strenuous role at this young age. Even the Indian Army declared him a ‘bhagora’ or ran away soldier. And here his legacy begins, as he helped the search party find his body, which was discovered after 3 days of his death, at the exact position he guided. Then his body was subsequently cremated with full military honors, and he is revered as the "Hero of Nathu La" by soldiers of the Indian army. He appeared into the dream of many of his fellow soldiers. He instructed one of his colleague to build and maintain a shrine in his memory. That is called “Baba Harbhajan Singh temple” or “Baba Mandir”.

            Work station of Baba Harbhajan Singh            

Since then he is serving at the line of duty and protecting the India-China border neighboring Nathu La. Many of soldiers and villagers have sensed his presence since then. Some of them even heard the sound of his boots. Indian soldiers believe that in the event of a war between India and China, “Baba” would warn the Indian soldiers of an impending attack at least three days in advance. As per common belief, any army official not maintaining clean and disciplined attire is punished with a slap by “Baba” himself. His own attire which hangs in display need not be cleaned by anyone as it gets cleaned by his own soul. Also, the soldiers of PLA have seen an Indian soldier is patrolling by the border in the toughest climate, while even the regular patrolling couldn't be executed and actually, no Indian soldier was there. Thus during flag meetings between the two nations at Nathu La, the Chinese set a chair aside to honor him. And no war-like situation has arisen since then due to the presence of “Baba”.

Turbans of Baba Harbhajan Singh

Until his official retirement in 2016, every year on 11^th September, he went's on official leave for two months. A jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, from where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, in the Kapurthala district of the Indian state of Punjab. A seat is left empty for the journey to his hometown and 3 soldiers accompany the “Baba” to his home. During this couple of months, the border security is increased excessively in order to scale his absence.

Also, “Baba” delivers his blessing to the common civilians, as devotees of “Baba” leave water bottles in the name of sick people for 10 days and then gives this blessed water to the sick to consume for the next 21 days. And that eradicates any diseases as per common belief.

Now if someone asks either I believe in the supernatural powers or any miracle? 

I’m a just, realistic and logical person, so go with reality and I want to say it absent hesitation! But on this mysterious planet, we experience some kind of myth or supernatural being, which is beyond our logic or understanding. And such experiences confuse me and forced me to question my faith. Because not all the time it is required to experience in bare eyes, sometimes the prestige stands above all. 

Very recently I visited northern Sikkim, especially the famous Nathu La pass, the border region between India and China, where the Nathu La clashes were fought between Indian Armed Forces and People's Liberation Army (PLA) of neighboring country China from 11th September to 15th September 1967. Here the Indian forces achieved "decisive tactical advantage" and defeated the Chinese forces and drove back the attacking Chinese forces, which is the first ever victory of India over China. After the war Indian army strengthens the security of this region, to prevent China from further attacking. But then also the tension was on, as PLA was up to increase their territory and they were after Sikkim after Tibbet was seized by them. But due to the presence of “Baba”, their foul intentions can never be fulfilled.

Temple of Baba Harbhajan Singh

Now as we know the virtues of God, to guide and protect us from harm in a supernatural form, the legend of great “Baba” Harbhajan Singh depicts him as no less than God. He overcomes death to pursue his duty towards the nation and still performing his duty, which is never going to end. He never asked anyone to worship him; he never seeks any remuneration or reward for his extraordinary service for his nation. Our heart melts to respect his sacrifice and we all salute and worship him for his extraordinary mystical precedent of duty.

With sincere regards,

Milan Chatterjee

PS: > "Baba" is a saint as most Indian addresses.
> This is the passion of Indian defense. That's why Indian Armed Force is one of the strongest armed force across the planet.   

> Baba Mandir is a must visit place for all the Indians. To reach there you can hire a car from Gangtok, and visit the new and old Baba Mandir. Old Baba Mandir is the place where “Baba” still stays and blesses us. The maintenance of this place is solemnly done by the soldiers of the Indian Army.
> China is plotting against with Pakistan us since independence, we should boycott any connection with China.

Source: Information gathered by visiting Baba Mandir, Wikipedia, Quora. 
© Milan Chatterjee