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Journalism of Courage
A soldier never dies. He is immortal —amar. Hony Capt Harbhajan Singh certainly is. Which is why, 26 years after his death, he is still serving the Indian Army. If not in body, then in soul. On November 15, he joined back on duty on the Sino-Indian border in Sikkim after a two-month annual leave.
Harbhajan Singh, who died in 1968 — a year after he was posted to Sikkim — is still serving the Indian Army and is due to retire next year. Over the years, his spirit has been getting due promotions. And just like any other serving soldier, Harbhajan’s spirit is granted two months’ annual leave during which he comes to his native village, Kooka, in Kapurthala district, with all his military paraphernalia.
His family, including his mother Amar Kaur, anxiously wait for his spirit to arrive home every year. A separate room is readied for ‘him’ and food of ‘his’ choice is prepared, which is later distributed among the poor.
Harbhajan Singh of 23 Punjab Regiment died at the Kupup post on the Indo-China border in Sikkim in 1968 while guarding the border on his pony. Years after his death, he appeared in the dream of an officer of his regiment and ‘told’ him the exact location where his body was buried under the snow. The Army set up a memorial at the spot, and the local people began worshipping him, firmly believing that this was the spot where all wishes would come true.
It is believed that Harbhajan Singh’s spirit still guards the Indian borders from the same spot and that he forewarns soldiers of his regiment against danger three days in advance, by appearing in their dreams.
Since 1984, the Army has undertaken the task of bringing Harbhajan’s spirit from Sikkim to Jalandhar by train. A first class ticket is booked in his name and Armymen from Sikkim place his crisp uniform on a hanger on the seat, along with his trunk and smartly polished shoes. Upon reaching Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station, Harbhajan’s spirit receives a warm welcome and a waiting Army vehicle takes ‘him’ to his native village. The drill is repeated two months later, when Harbhajan’s annual leave ends. Army personnel come to his village to fetch ‘him’ and help ‘him’ board the train to Sikkim.
Harbhajan’s mother, Amar Kaur, says when his spirit comes to the village on annual leave, she feels his presence. Brother, Rattan Singh said he didn’t believe this until Harbhajan appeared in his dream to say that his spirit was still around.
The Army has been giving Harbhajan’s mother a pension of Rs 2,500 per month.
