Icy cold and warm, waiting for Commander in Chief Kalam in Siachen

The last time there was such a buzz at Base Camp Siachen was when George Fernandes surprised everyone with a giant Christmas cake. And today...

The last time there was such a buzz at Base Camp Siachen was when George Fernandes surprised everyone with a giant Christmas cake. And today you could even notice the spring in the walk as men moved with tubs of paint to lay out a welcome. After all, tomorrow is a big day: the first visit by the President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to the world’s highest battlefield.

Once there, President Kalam will be meeting troops, presenting certificates to units strung across the Saltoro ridge. Havildar Nawang Nyantek of the 2 Ladakh Scouts can hardly contain his excitement. He hopes to shake hands with the man who he has been told is the ‘‘chief of the Army chief.’’

And Nyantek, a veteran of the Kargil War, has just found out that ‘‘he also designed missiles.’’ A resident of these parts, Nyantek is taking the steep road to Base Camp 3 to catch a glimpse of the President. For him and others posted here, the sub-zero temperature just got a little warmer.

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The Snow and Avalanche Studies detachment has already issued a favourable weather report to the local formation while officers at XIV Corps pore over meticulous plans in the Operations room. Corps Commander Lt Gen Arvind Sharma has been personally overseeing the arrangements.

For Kalam too, this trip’s going to be quite an experience. Here, there’s a mini-India waiting: Jats, Madrasis, Sikhs, Punjabis, Ladakhis and Rajputs are all waiting for the Supreme Commander and the bada khana.

Army sources said they were initially expecting it to be a routine VIP visit. But the President, it transpires, wants to cover as much of the glacier as he can in the few hours that he is here. So Siachen waits for its date with the Supreme Commander.