No one is immortal in this world, we all will die one day, sooner or later. But there is one Indian Army soldier who died while patrolling but still did his duty. In fact, a temple and memorial were built in his name, “Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple,” located between Nathula and Jelepla Pass.

Baba Harbhajan Singh was born on August 30, 1946, in the village of Sardana (now a part of Pakistan). In the year 1966, he joined the 23 rd Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army as a Sepoy. He was allotted in Sikkim alongside his Unit. On 4 October while escorting Mule Caravan he fell into a deep gorge. His battalion started a search operation but could not find his body anywhere. It was few days after his death Sepoy Harbhajan appeared in a dream of one of his battalion’s soldier describing where his body is. When army went on to the location they found out the body of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh exactly where he described.

What was shocking is that even after dying Sepoy Harbhajan kept on doing duties. Many a times he revealed strategies of China to Indian troops and often his spirit protected soldier’s in the inhospitable high altitude terrain of Eastern Himalayas. Every year on September 11 his belongings were sent to his village with a seat booked on his name in a train. He was just 22 when he died, but he was being promoted to higher ranks by Indian Army at last he retired as Honorary Captain of the Indian Army.

Even when flag meeting is being held Between India and China, China keep an extra seat in honour of Baba Harbhajan Singh. Baba Harbhajan Singh was awarded Maha Vir Chakra India’s second highest gallantry award (Posthumously).

Writer : Prajwal Thapa

Address : Tilottama-01, Shankarnagar “Banwatika” Rupandehi