Baba Harbhajan Singh

Late Sepoy Harbhajan Singh or Baba Harbhajan Singh, as he is known today was born in the village of Sadrana, Gujjarawala district now in Pakistan. He enrolled himself in the army in the year 1956 as a soldier in the Signal Corps. In the year 1965 he was granted Commission and posted to 14 Rajput Regiment. In the war of 1965 he served as the Adjutant of the Unit and later  was transferred to 18 Rajput.

The hoarding at Baba's Shrine giving a brief introductory description about Baba

On 4th October 1968, he slipped past a glacier near Nathu-La Pass in Sikkim and drowned to death while carrying ration to remote post from Tuku La to Dongohui La. The downline water stream carried his body two kilometres down the nullah. His story doesn't end here.

Baba's shrine with the Tricolour

He appeared in the dreams of one of his co-soldier and guided him to the exact location where he was found after three days of his death. He also instructed one of his colleagues in his dream to construct a shrine in his name. Accordingly, the Unit then constructed a shrine at a place which is 9 kms away from where the present shrine stands today.

The idol of Baba with photos of Hindu and Sikh Gods surrounding him

Even after his death, Baba guards the frontiers and warns soldiers of any impending attack at least three days in advance. Resides among the soldiers guarding there many stories about Baba waking up soldiers who fall asleep during night duty and night patrolling. Indian Army has accepted his presence in the post with his colleagues even after his death and his salary was being sent to his family without any fail. He also received two promotions and was promoted to the rank of a Captain. He also gets two months of leave every year and soldiers carry his picture along with his belongings to his native. A special arrangement is made in such a manner that a train seat is left empty in the entire journey. The army deployed at the post becomes extra cautious whenever Baba is on leave.

Baba's office room

He is not only alive in the beliefs of Indian Army; but equally amongst the Chinese troops posted across the Border. Nathu-La is one among the four posts where Ind-China meets are help. Chinese Army has also admitted seeing Baba on several occasions doing patrolling near the border. During any customary meets between both the armies the Chinese army still keeps a seat empty as a tribute to Baba.

Baba's bedroom with his well maintained uniform beside

The current shrine of Baba is reconstructed at the junction of Kupup Gnathang road and the pathway leading to Menmoichu Lake as apart of the watershed memorial complex. The Baba  Mandir is a three-roomed structure. The central room has a portrait of Baba with some portrait of Hindu and Sikh Gods. The room to the right is the personal room of  Baba with household belongings like clothes, slippers, bed, shoes etc. The room to the left is his office room cum store room. Water bottles, slippers and tooth brushes are kept at stock in the store room. It is believed that the water kept at Baba Harbhajan Shrine is capable of healing ailing people. It is also believed that the slippers kept there helps people with foot problems.

Jawan's distributing prasad to devotees at Baba's shrine

We all are born with a debt to our motherland. As we start working for the betterment of the land and its citizens we start repaying the debt. The day we give our ultimate sacrifice for our motherland we can consider complete repayment of the debt. However, there are people who believe that death can take the soul apart of the human body but the patriotism remains within. Baba's love towards our motherland is an example of extraordinary service to our motherland. Salute to revered Baba for his services to our motherland.

Badluram Ka Badan

Badluram Ka Badan is the regimental march song for Assam Regiment. The regimental march song has traces from the Second World War. Indian Soldiers were taken to fight in the war. Every soldier at war was entitled to certain ration. It was the Quarter Master's responsibility to report deaths and thereby stop ration for the same and continue for the rest. However the Quarter Master of the battalion that was at the front didn't report the death of a soldier named Badluram and continued issuing ration in his name. The excess ration that had been released in the name of Badluram was surplus  and it got piled up for few months. Eventually during the phase of the war when the Japanese Army surrounded the Assam Regiment and cut off the regiment from all kinds of assistance the regiment suffered scarcity of ration. It was then the excess ration which the Quarter Master kept drawing in the name of Badluram helped the entire regiment from starving and the entire regiment had the ration even when they were cut off from logistical assistance. The regimental song is a tribute to Badluram. The lyrics of the song goes like this

Ek khubsurat ladki thi…

Usko dekh ke rifleman…

Chindi khichna bhul gaya…

Havaldar Major dekh liya…

Usko pittu lagaya…

Badluram ek sipahi thaa…

Japan war me mar gaya…

Quarter Master smart thaa…

Usney ration nikala…

Badluram ka badan zamin ke nichey hain…

Toh humein uska ration milta hain…

Sabashh… hallelujah…

Toh humein uska ration milta hain…

Tagra Raho!

Jai Hind

Melody of Victory

 

 

Young men, not even a beard on face,

separated by all, termed as a disgrace.

They marched ahead, with a broken heart,

they tamed mutiny, yet seeked love.

What they seeked, was a lovers cuddle,

they faced swords, and struggled in battles.

They faced cuts, groaned in pain,

they were soldiers, agreed to die virgin.

After days in battle, one fine day,

they went outnumbered, about to fall astray.

They gathered courage, went to fight back,

for death may come, yet glory shall remain.

They killed the enemies, killed to live,

they won the war, sand the melody of victory.

The Third Child

He was not born as intelligent as his brothers. His brothers scored good marks; he somehow managed to drag through the passing line. His father had high ego factors as he was a renowned man in the society. He was always disappointed upon his third child. He had a younger sister. She had faith upon her thrid brother.

"One of your child will make you proud one day," said the family astrologer to the father on a visit.

"I am sure it will be one of them", the father said pointing the two elder brothers."I have a dream to see one among them as a engineer and the other as doctor," continued the typical Indian father.

"It can be him also or the little girl," said the astrologer pointing the third child.

"She is yet to grow up and he is not competent enough to do so", said the father.

"What's wrong with him?" asked the inquisitive astrologer.

"Well he isn't as sharp as his brother's. I just hope he gets competent enought to earn fr his own living," said the father.

The third son failed in the second year of graduation. His father got furious. "I will be happy if you don't turn up on the day when I will be laid on the pyre," said the father angrily.

The third son joined the army. He realized his passion of serving the motherland.

He was on a night patrol with his team and suddenly there was an ambush. He openned fire at the miscreants. He pulled his team members who were hit by bullets to the cover by the rocks. Whenever realized a pinch of fear within he asked his team to be brave. He was short of bullets. He thought to pull the knife out and march towards the hideout of the terrorists. Suddenly they threw a grenade towards them. He volunteered to jump upon the grenade by his chest to lessen the impact upon others by taking the splinters on his chest. He died instantaneously but his bravery saved the life of his team mates.

They carried the coffin of the bravemen with the Tricolour. Thousands of people gathered at his place. The town was declaed holiday for the day. The residens of the town decided to change the name of the years old town road to his name. They also decided to put a small statue in the field beside the town health centre. The father who was just a resident of the town until the day before was now the most respected person in the entire town.

They bought his bed roll and belongings home. His mother openned the suitcase. There was a letter. She read but couldn't anounce. She handed it to the father. The letter was penned as -

Dear Dad,

If you are reading this letter ever, than I am surely resting somewhere in another world. I always wanted to hug you tightly once, but couldn't. I know that I was never a good son like my elder brothers, but believe me I always tried to be one. I am sorry I could never make you proud. I have saved some money ever since I joined the job. I would want you to take that as my contribution for my sisters education. I know you and your elder sons are rich enough but somewhere you also have a third child and its from him to his little younger sister. I will be happy if you put the fire on my pyre.

Your Son

The Virgin Soldiers

Graves looked very young,

heart sang melancholy song,

fought proudly; died bravely

virgin soldiers proved loyalty.

A Soldier's words..

Front there, behind the iron fences,

ferociously with anger, to butcher us they were ready,

I smell a pinch of fear,

a drop of adrenaline rush within,

I stare at my friends, my fellow comrades,

the courage in their eyes made me assure,

we might bleed, not lose for sure..

Our General's spell of order,

was alike the Holy Book's say,

as he open his throats,

we fixed blades on our guns,

hallucinating in my heart

was my mother's beautiful face,

if I don't reach home,

there shall be tears from her eyes..

As they march towards us,

bullets drilled into my comrades' hearts,

one after other my friends fall,

within a while many men we lost,

a pain on my stomach pulling me down,

no time to see its time for duty,

might be a bullet that just passed me,

I know I won't die before victory..

I see my General, not a pinch of fear in his eyes,

once again he yelled aloud our war cry,

he asked us to be strong,

to fight until the last bullet,

to keep killing until we die,

he asked us to be strong,

said the God's fight on our side,

the bullets on his chest, blooded his shirt red..

I run to take my stand,

snatch the Tricolour from an enemy's hand,

hoist it high in altitude,

swear to held it high with pride,

the enemy numbers were going down,

our numbers less, yet the zeal much higher than them,

for the courage rested in our hearts

we win the battle after many wars.. 

The soils of the ground,

painted red with the blood of brave hearts,

few ours and few others,

the womb of our mothers,

cried their heart out

at the death of her sons,

all she did was wept after victory..

10 things to do before I die

•  Have some children – I don’t have any plans to get married but I would obviously like to be a father. I would like to be the father to those children who roam around the nooks and corners of the city searching for hope & bread, having the ill-fate of not receiving the parental love and care. I wouldn’t die before adopting a few children.

• Padhega India tabhi to Badhega India – I would also strive to work for the motto of Vajpayee Ji and that was enforced by Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur on 25^th Dec 2013. I appreciate the motto of imparting education to the buds of the weaker section of the society and the objective of teaching them how to earn their own bread with dignity.

• To spend all the money that I have earned – I see a lot of disappointed faces around me. Their disappointment makes my happiness disappear. If somewhere I could buy them some happiness, I would seriously do so.

• To meet all the brothers of Indian Army and thank them – I always wanted to stand bold and guard the frontiers. I couldn’t because my physique didn’t permit me to do so. Before I die I would like to meet and thank every brother who has stood awake on dark winter nights on the frontiers guarding our territory and assuring us all a sound sleep.

• Donate blood once again – Even before attending the proper age I donated blood. I was too crazy to work for humanity and even today I do so. Before I die I would like to donate blood one last time.

• Design a better death – Before dying I would also seek the chance to design a better death for myself. I don’t want to die sick and complaining. I want a martyr’s death for myself.

• Favourite cuisines – Before I die I would like to taste all my favourite cuisines for one last time. Those cuisines would include ample non-veg dishes, barbecue’s, Muglai in particular and a lot of sweets.

• To meet Salman Khan once – I have always had one idol in my life - Mr. Salman Khan. His place for being my ideal isn’t because of his super hit movies but because of his act of philanthropy towards the weaker sections of the society. Before I die I just wish to meet him once.

• 
  

 Submitted for Indispire

Mahendra Nath Phukon - The Tardily Cremated Soldier

A senior Police Official and Army personnel paying their tribute to Mahendra Nath Phukon

Mahendra Nath Phukon's brother's on the day of his cremation

On 7th February 1968. twenty Two year old Mahendra Nath Phukon was on the plane with 102 other Army and Air Force personnel and was travelling from Chandigarh to Leh. After the commencement of the AN - 12 aircraft the flight lost control and finally crashed near the 6264 meter Chandrabhaga Peak in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul valley. None of the boarders were alive.

The wreckage stayed undiscovered till 35 years and on July 2003 a soldier named Pioneer Beli Ram was the first corpse to be excavated from the deep glacier area.

On 2nd August 2007 an expedition led my Major Nishant Kumar of Dogra Scouts recovered three bodies from the body. One of those three was of Mahendra Nath Phukon, who was still in uniform. His identity card and other documents led to his identification. 

His body ensconced in a coffin and draped with the Indian flag reached on 20th August 2007 to Deodhai, his native village in Sivasagar district, which is about 360 kilometers east of Assam's main city Guwahati. The last time Mahendra Nath Phukon was home to attend his elder brother, Tuben Nath Phukon's wedding in the year 1967. For his family it was a dream. His body was cremated on 21st August 2007. Many Government officials also were present to pay their tribute to Mahendra Nath Phukon. Mahendra Nath Phukon's brother's, Tuben Nath Phukon and Durganath Phukon are both retired personnel of the Indian Army.

A Promise, by me and all

A call for my Motherland, my first love that I have known,

No fille lover’s tenderness I shall ever yearn,

No lesson other than patriotism I had ever learn,

No moral except sacrifice I shall ever teach,

Nationalism as my religion, I shall always preach.

Mother India, I shall also live the manner they did,

And shall take scars on my face upholding your dignity.

Appraising the sacrifice that all the martyr’s gave,

A promise we must take on their grave,

United in hands in hand, as we will walk across all land,

Fearless and brave we shall stand, victory we’ll understand.

Walking aloft we will promise to take along to all terrain,

The colours saffron, white and green.. whilst all pain.

Mother India, we shall also live the manner they did,

And shall take scars on our face upholding your dignity.

We shall live, merely not to follow the practice of human being,

But we shall live.. live to enjoy pain, anguish and suffering..

Jaswant Singh Rawat - The Forgotten Hero

First of all a tribute to all the martyrs who have happily laid their lives in the service of our motherland and a Salute to all the Indian Army Personnel.

I am confused with how should I address him. Should I mention Late Jaswant Singh Rawat or Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, Fourth Garhwal Regiment? Based on his extraordinary act of bravery, I would choose to believe that he is still among us and is serving at the India-China Frontier and shall address him as Jaswant Singh Rawat, Fourth Garhwal Rifles.

As we head towards Tawang, the Switzerland of North-East, about 500 kilometers from Guwahati, the Gateway of North-East we shall come across Jaswantgarh, a war memorial at Nuranang in Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh, which stands in memory of 4039009 Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, Mahavir Chakra awardee (posthumous) of the 4th Battalion of Garhwal Rifles. A journey towards the picturesque Tawang through pristine hills of Arunachal Pradesh can't be complete without a stopover at Jaswantgarh Memorial that stands testimony to an Indian soldier's unparallel bravery. It was the final phase of the Sino-Indian War in November 1962. Even as his company was asked to fall back, Jaswant Singh remained at his post at an altitude of 10,000 feet and held back Chinese soldiers for three days assisted by two local Monpa girls named Sela and Nura. They set up weapons at separated spots and maintained a volume of fire that made the Chinese think they were opposed by a body of troops. Finally the Chinese captured the man who was supplying rations to Jaswant and he revealed to them that they were opposed by only one man.They attacked in force, Sela died in a grenade burst, Nura was captured and Jaswant supposedly shot himself with his last cartridge when he realized that he was about to be captured. Jaswant has killed around 300 Chinese soldiers after confronting them with continuous fire for three days. It is alleged that the Chinese cut off Jaswant Singh's head and took it back to China. However, after the ceasefire, the Chinese commander, impressed by the soldier's bravery, returned the head along with a brass bust of Jaswant Singh. The bust, created in China to honor the brave Indian soldier, is now installed at the site of the battle. The post that he had to repulse the Chinese  troops has been named Jaswantgarh in recognition of his valor and sacrifice.

The Garhwal Rifles are today deployed on India's western borders, but the unit makes it a point to keep at least half a dozen personnel at Jaswantgarh to take care of Rawat as if he were alive. He is served bed tea at 04:30 AM, breakfast at 09:00 AM and dinner at 07:00 PM. Five army soldiers are at his service round the clock. There are no chores to be done. Life couldn't have been more comfortable for Baba Jaswant Singh Rawat, but for the fact that he is no more. These soldiers not only serve 'Baba' but also render their yeoman services for travelers along the hazardous portion of mountain terrain. Besides coming to rescue of travelers in trouble, they run a snack store where they serve tea, coffee, samosas, and pakoras to serve the tired tourists charging a nominal price that goes to upkeep the war memorial. They make his bed for him, polish his shoes and deliver the mail sent by his admirers. They even clear the mails the next morning after 'he has gone through them'. They change his bed sheets every Tuesday. Each morning, his bed is found crumpled, and his freshly ironed clothes lie scattered on the floor. The army men posted over there believe that Jaswant Singh is still here all the time, although no one can see him. According to locals and soldiers posted near Jaswantgarh, Rawat's spirit roams the area, and he comes in their dreams and solves their problems.

Jaswant Singh Rawat is the only soldier in the long history of the Indian army, who is known to have risen through the ranks after his death, and this rifleman has been promoted to Major General, and is still believed to command troops guarding the dizzy heights of India's eastern frontiers with China. He also gets his leave, salary – everything that a living soldier gets. A Leave Certificate always hangs on the notice board issued by his commanding officer for ten days casual leave to attend a marriage ceremony of one Yoginder Yadav from November 5, 2008 to November 14, 2008. Jaswant Singh's family members apply for leave on his behalf whenever needed, and if the leave is granted, the army men carry his portrait is to his native village with full military honors and when his leave expires, again his portrait is brought back to its original place.

Myths, folklore and superstitious beliefs are also strong among the soldiers. Army personnel passing by this route, be it a General or an ordinary soldier, make it a point to pay their respects at the shrine of Jaswant Singh, or else they invoke his curse. A Major General once refused to pray at his shrine while crossing the area, saying this was just a superstition, but he met with a mysterious road accident a few kilometers away from here and died.

Childhood Dream

As a youngster I remember that most of my friends wanted to be doctors, engineers or cricketers. I had a different wish inside me. Ever since I was in my primary school I wanted to join the Indian Army. I don't remember how I got that dream all of a sudden inside me. Perhaps it was Sunny Deol's 'Border' where he played the role of Major Chyanpuri that motivated me towards Army. I was determined to join the defence. My parents and family was astonished at this wish since no male member of our clan had ever been in any service. I am born in a business blood clan. I got family support.

I was always a fatso kid. Good food and laziness were the best words to define. Things changed a little after high school. I wasn't the same lazy bum as always. I was all focused into National Defence Academy (NDA). Those days I used to sleep less, around four and half hours every night. I woke up exactly at 5 AM and started to run in the Kamakhya temple hills with Kunal. Kunal was focused to lose some pounds from his belly as an act to mark his health consciousness. The first few days of running in the hills was really tiresome. I would stop on the view point that was on the hill top at Bhubansehwari and ask myself,

Is it really necessary?

I thought for alternatives but the zeal inside me wouldn't allow me to do so. I kept running every morning and gym every evening. I lost around 17 Kilos in around 45 days. I wasn't even happy at that. At that moment the only thing that probably could bring me happiness was the selection news from NDA. I wanted to stay awake and guard the frontiers when the entire nation would be asleep. I wanted to fight the enemies and die with the glory of the Tricolour on my corpse.

I wrote the exam. The results disappointed me. I was a loser. My dad acted as the best support then. His words were really supporting and has motivated me to another dream that is not much different from the broken dream. I still remember what he said me (although his words to me were in the vernacular, I would try my best to translate).

Dad - "I believe your desire to join the Army is just because you want to contribute to the society and bring some glory for your motherland? If this is what you desire than being in the Army isn't mandatory at all. You can do everything for your motherland even if you aren't in the army.  Do anything and everything for the society. Live for the society and lend your hand to every person who you believe needs your help. Work hard and earn a lot so that you can help contribute towards philanthropy. Even if you won't be able to guard the frontiers you would be doing something for the nation."

Whatever dad said me that day wasn't wrong at all. I believe that whatever I have been doing today doesn't drive me apart from that childhood dream. I am determined and shall walk on the path of philanthropy until every fellow Indian gets his honor of bread, shelter and cloth.