‘The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.’
– Thornton Wilder.
Late General S. Padmanabhan, former Chief of Army Staff and Senior Colonel Commandant, Regiment of Artillery, passed away and moved to a higher ‘gun position’ on August 18 at Chennai.
I had known him, intimately, since I am also a Gunner, like him, and had the honour of serving as his Colonel (General Staff) in the Arrow Division in early 1990’s, when Punjab was passing through a period of turmoil. This is where I learnt his qualities of leadership- unflustered and cool, under crises. Subsequently I remained in touch with him and came in contact with his ‘Parent Regiment’ which was part of the Bison Division, which I commanded. It was an excellent unit and it showed the stamp of General Paddy – as he was known.
While in command of the Bison Division, the Armed Forces were deployed on Operation ‘Parakram’. Gen. Padmanbhan, as COAS, visited my formation, where he heard out my complaint that the Armoured Regiment, which was part of my formation, had been parcelled out to other formations. This was immediately set right.
On the evening of February 28, 2002, after I had just come back from an exercise of one of my Brigades, I received a telephone call from the COAS, Gen. Padmanabhan. I was a little surprised since the ‘Chief’ would seldom speak directly to a divisional commander. Obviously, he was exceedingly concerned.
Gen. Padmanabhan’s directions to me were: “Zoom (my sobriquet), get your formation to Gujarat tonight and quell the riots.” Direct, short, concise, leaving no doubts.
It was only later when General Paddy was adding a foot note to my newly published book that I learnt about certain misgivings conveyed to him when I was tasked to quell the riots. He wrote, “Many eyebrows were raised when I nominated ‘Zoom’ to lead the Army complement to Gujarat. Some seniors told me of their misgivings. I told them in no uncertain terms that the choice of troops and their leader was a military decision and not open to debate.”
My formation ensured that his trust was not misplaced. Large scale violence in Gujarat was quelled by the Army within 48 hours by firm, fair and assertive action. He was a chief who stood his ground and brooked no interference in matters military.
Subsequent to his retirement Gen. Padmanabhan declined all offers of sinecures, which any retired chief should take a lesson from.
‘Good shooting,’ General Paddy, may your legacy endure.
Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah is a retired senior general of the Indian Army. He last served as the Deputy Chief of the Indian Army Staff (Personnel & Systems).
