It was a moment of reverie. Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who loves to describe himself as a soldier first and a soldier last, preferred to leave the comfortable confines of his home to spend the night preceding India’s 70th Independence Day anniversary with the troops of the third battalion of the Sikh regiment on the borders of Punjab.
At the age of 75, Capt Amarinder might not be a young soldier any more, but his heart still beats for the Army, which continues to be his first and last love.
Reliving history and shedding his ‘neta’ image for the first time in decades, Capt Amarinder mingled with the soldiers, interacted with them and spent some memorable moments.
“I will never forget this night. It has revived all those memories of the yonder when I was part of the force. And at the same time, it has created many new memories which I will remain etched in my heart and mind till my last breath,” he said.
It was a joyous occasion also for every man at the camp station, which was to be Capt Amarinder’s home for the night. “This is a special day in more ways than one. Capt Amarinder has made it a memorable occasion for us,” said one of the soldiers who seemed to be totally in awe of the man who was part of the regiment before he himself was even born.