The Unexpected Raksha Bandhan with Indian Army at Kashmir/ Accidental Trekker Series

Great lakes of Kashmir YHAI Trek started with more stringent rules than usual. We would pass army camps where photography was banned. Wearing t-shirts with army prints were not allowed as Indian Army could find it objectionable. Further, ID proofs were to be submitted at Satsar Army camp approximately 12,000ft above sea level.Army men were not to be disturbed.For, we were on a trek while, they were on duty serving the nation , almost border of the nation infact.

We reached Satsar army camp, IDs were verified. Army men were very kind and very empathetic unlike what we expected. I curiously tried to know if there is any soldier from Karnataka. Though I found none, I found a brother from the neighboring state Tamil Nadu who was more than glad to hold a conversation in Tamil after a long time. 

While I was busy exploring South Indian traces in Himalayas, Mohit Sharma , a North Indian brother from Meerut,who saw a sister in me went totally unnoticed in my eyes.

We reached our campsite from the army camp. While chit chatting, I was expressing, how I wish I had a brother in life and also, how i see a brother in most boys around me ( and also most film stars I see unlike other friends who usually have a crush on them) . Little did I know that my wish would come true in the next few minutes. 

Indian army paid a friendly visit to our campsite.(Mohit Sharma who saw a sister in me came too) .I saw our cotrekkers singing patriotic songs to the Indian army. I sang a patriotic medley too ( https://youtu.be/0iXME06LVvc)

As I finished singing, my wrist felt cold. I soon realised that an army man was tying a silver bracelet to my wrist. It was Mohit Bhaiyya. He added, " Raksha Bandhan ka samay hai ,toh, iss bhai se apni behen ke liye ek chota so tofa" ( Since its Raksha Bandhan time, a small gift from a brother to his sister) . Happiest and most emotional moment of my life I must say. How exactly did I react at that moment is something I would leave upto your imagination. 

No money , no materialistic gift can be mapped to such unconditional love. Yet, I wanted to gift something to my brother. Though I had many valuables back home, much money in my account which could buy a nice gift, that moment at 12,000 ft, with no mobile network, 3days of walk away from civilization ,I felt helpless as I could give nothing to give my brother though I had so much with me. I soon decided to think of my watch as a Rakhi and tied it to him. The whole campsite went teary eyed. Needless to say how I felt.

I did a few more treks with YHAI later , but, kashmir trek shall always remain special to me for obvious reasons. Mohit Sharma now serves the Ambala cantonment , yet, Kashmir posting shall remain special to him for the same obvious reasons. 

What more, Mohit still has the watch with him, I still have the bracelet with me, we are still in touch, and will continue to be...

Jai Hind 🇮🇳