Indian Army Mourns the Loss of Former Chief General Sundararajan Padmanabhan
New Delhi [India], August 19: General Sundararajan Padmanabhan, who served as the 20th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, passed away at the age of 83 in Chennai after a prolonged illness. The current Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with all ranks of the Indian Army, offered their tribute and expressed their deepest condolences to his family.
The official statement from the Indian Army reads, “The Indian Army deeply mourns the passing of General Sundararajan Padmanabhan (Retired), who served as the 20th Chief of The Army Staff. The Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army offer their tribute and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The nation will remember General Padmanabhan for his unwavering dedication and contributions to national security. May his soul rest in peace.”
Born on December 5, 1940, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, General Padmanabhan was an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun, and the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. He was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery on December 13, 1959, marking the start of a remarkable career spanning over four decades.
Throughout his service, General Padmanabhan held numerous key command, staff, and instructional appointments. He commanded the Gazala Field Regiment, two infantry brigades, and an artillery brigade. As a Major General, he commanded an Infantry Division in the Western Sector, and as a Lieutenant General, he led a Corps in Kashmir Valley, playing a crucial role in counter-terrorism operations.
On September 1, 1996, General Padmanabhan became the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command and later, the Southern Command. He assumed the office of the Chief of Army Staff on October 1, 2000. Known affectionately as “Paddy” among his peers, General Padmanabhan’s legacy is marked by his commitment to the welfare of soldiers, modernization of the Indian Army, and strategic vision. He was also an Honorary ADC to the President of India.
General Padmanabhan led the Indian Army during the crucial period of ‘Operation PARAKRAM’. He retired on December 31, 2002, after 43 years of exemplary service. His death is a great loss to the Nation and the Indian Army.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Army -: The Indian Army is the land-based branch of India’s military. It protects the country from threats and helps during emergencies like floods and earthquakes.
Chief -: The Chief of the Indian Army is the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Army. This person leads and makes important decisions for the army.
General Sundararajan Padmanabhan -: General Sundararajan Padmanabhan was a very important leader in the Indian Army. He was the 20th Chief of the Indian Army and served for many years.
Chennai -: Chennai is a big city in the southern part of India. It is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu.
Condolences -: Condolences are expressions of sympathy and sadness when someone dies. People say or write them to show they care.
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful backwaters and rich culture.
Military career -: A military career means working in the armed forces for many years. It involves training, leading, and sometimes fighting to protect the country.
Operations -: In the army, operations are planned activities or missions. These can include rescue missions, training exercises, or combat missions.
Modernizing -: Modernizing means making something more up-to-date or advanced. In the army, this can mean getting new equipment or using new techniques.