In continuation of my previous post, let me share some more interesting facts about Col Babbar's life as sent to me by his grandson Mr. Neerav.
Col HKS Babbar was born in a hindu family in Lahore, now in Pakistan. His mother often visited the city Gurudwara(a Sikh shrine). Once she fell very seriously ill and a Granthi (a Sikh priest) from the gurudwara came to see her. He told Col Babbar's father to devote the eldest son to the Gurus. Col Babbar, aged 14 or 15 years at that time willingly became a sikh and grew his hair. He studied at Khalsa college Lahore where he was elected as the president by the students. The principal of his college was so impressed by the persona of this young man that one day, while addressing the students of the college, he called him on to the stage and gave him the title 'BABBAR' (synonymous with LION). Thus he changed his name in the official records from Hari Krishan Singh Dewan to Hari Krishan Singh Babbar. The principal was the one who persuaded him to join the Indian Army. Before leaving for the military training his mother took a promise from him that he would never drink and gamble. He was known to be a staunch teetotaller in his friends' circle. No one ever dared to force a drink on him. When he joined Indian Military Academy he would find it rather difficult to manage his hair. He would take a lot of time in tying his turban and would always get late for the morning drill (as he was not born in a sikh family so he was not trained properly in tying a turban). One day he took permission from his mother and went to the Gurudwara, apologised before the Granth Sahib and got his hair cut. Despite that he didn't change his religious belief and remained a true Sikh and lived a life based on the principles of Sikhism. His wife and children remained the followers of the Hindu faith.
Mr. Neerav says that he was told this story by his grand mother when one day, many years back, they all were going through the family album. The album contained Col Babbar's photographs in turban during his initial days in IMA.
Col HKS Babbar was born in a hindu family in Lahore, now in Pakistan. His mother often visited the city Gurudwara(a Sikh shrine). Once she fell very seriously ill and a Granthi (a Sikh priest) from the gurudwara came to see her. He told Col Babbar's father to devote the eldest son to the Gurus. Col Babbar, aged 14 or 15 years at that time willingly became a sikh and grew his hair. He studied at Khalsa college Lahore where he was elected as the president by the students. The principal of his college was so impressed by the persona of this young man that one day, while addressing the students of the college, he called him on to the stage and gave him the title 'BABBAR' (synonymous with LION). Thus he changed his name in the official records from Hari Krishan Singh Dewan to Hari Krishan Singh Babbar. The principal was the one who persuaded him to join the Indian Army. Before leaving for the military training his mother took a promise from him that he would never drink and gamble. He was known to be a staunch teetotaller in his friends' circle. No one ever dared to force a drink on him. When he joined Indian Military Academy he would find it rather difficult to manage his hair. He would take a lot of time in tying his turban and would always get late for the morning drill (as he was not born in a sikh family so he was not trained properly in tying a turban). One day he took permission from his mother and went to the Gurudwara, apologised before the Granth Sahib and got his hair cut. Despite that he didn't change his religious belief and remained a true Sikh and lived a life based on the principles of Sikhism. His wife and children remained the followers of the Hindu faith.
Mr. Neerav says that he was told this story by his grand mother when one day, many years back, they all were going through the family album. The album contained Col Babbar's photographs in turban during his initial days in IMA.
