The immortal soldier

 

 

We all know about Casper – the friendly ghost. What if such a ghost was to exist for real? It’s hard to believe, but legend goes that a ghost of a soldier called Harbhajan Singh, who went down to his death trapped in a glacier at Nathu La during the India-China War (1962), refuses to let death come in the way of his duty! Reportedly, the camp near Nathu La Pass always keeps a bed reserved for him and has arranged to keep his shoes polished and uniform ready every night. The next morning, the bed sheet would be found crumpled and shoes covered with mud by evening. It is also believed that ‘Baba’, as the ghost is referred to, would give a warning in case of an imminent war. So far, the Indian Army has refused to withdraw his name from its payroll, which also makes Baba privy to annual leaves and necessary promotions. Also, a shrine in his honour has been built near his burial ground, which was again at the ghost’s behest made known in a dream to a colleague.