The Dalai Lama on Sunday had a surprise reunion with one of the eight soldiers who escorted him to India 58 years ago after his famous escape from Lhasa. "Looking at him I realise I have grown old," the 81-year-old spiritual leader joked. Seventy-plus Naren Chandra Das, a former Assam Rifles soldier, was overwhelmed too. He was enveloped in a warm hug by the Dalai Lama after they shook hands. "I am very happy to meet the Assam rifles jawan; it has been 58 years," the Dalai Lama said.