A Tribute to General Sundarajan Padmanabhan: A Leader with Strategic Vision

It was during the Christmas Eve bash in 2001 when we learned that our Junior Command Course had been cancelled and mobilization ordered following a terrorist attack on Parliament. Within hours, we were in military special trains, taking precedence over even Rajdhani and Shatabdi Expresses. On reaching Leh, where I was posted, I noticed a flurry of activities with a sense of enthusiasm all around as we awaited orders for the offensive.

Television, the primary source of information in those pre-social media days, played round the clock, and we were updated on the latest situation. One evening, our entire aviation squadron stood glued to the TV listening to the Army Chief during a press conference. "Should Pakistan use the nuclear option, its existence will be in doubt." There was a loud applause as we heard General Sundarajan Padmanabhan send out a clear message to the adversary.

General Padmanabhan, affectionately called "Paddy," was a cut above the others. An alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College and the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery and later commanded 7 Field Regiment (having a battle honour – Gazala). A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and National Defence College, New Delhi, he held numerous prestigious appointments during his illustrious career spanning 43 years.

He was a Corps Commander of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps when I got commissioned. We youngsters would be enamored by his dare-devilry, hearing of his visits to insurgency areas during the night, in civil vehicles with minimal security. His dynamic generalship during those peak insurgency days resulted in the Army making big gains, forcing militants onto the back foot for the first time since the eruption of militancy.

A rare leader endowed with strategic vision, he contributed immensely towards enhancing the country's Credible Nuclear Deterrence. The story goes that when he was the Army Commander of Southern Command, he moved a proposal for sanctioning a Nuclear Command Post for HQ Southern Command. The proposal was turned down due to a paucity of funds. When he became the Chief of the Army Staff, he took up the matter again personally with Defence Minister Mr. George Fernandez. When the latter reiterated the shortage of funds, the General suggested, "You just give me the sanction, I will manage funds from my existing resources from the sanctioned Army Budget." That is how a project for the first nuclear-hardened facility for the country was sanctioned, and it was the start of the Nuclear Protection era in India.

Committed to the welfare of soldiers and their families, he was instrumental in giving an impetus to the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). Post-retirement, he stayed away from the limelight and declined gubernatorial assignments. He was among those rare souls who set boundaries to their ambition and personal glory, preferring to fade away gracefully.

Rest in Peace, General, and thank you for your services.

Col HP Singh, VSM is a prolific writer based at Mohali. He can be reached at echpee71@gmail.com