New Delhi: The Indian Army Monday mourned the death of General Sundararajan Padmanabhan (Retd.), the 20th Chief of Army Staff. General Upendra Dwivedi, along with officers and soldiers of all ranks, has expressed heartfelt condolences to his family.
General Padmanabhan, aged 83, passed away in Chennai after a prolonged illness. Born on December 5, 1940, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, he was a distinguished alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and the National Defence Academy (NDA). His service began on December 13, 1959, when he was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery, marking the start of a distinguished four-decade career.
During his tenure, General Padmanabhan held numerous key command and staff positions. He led the Gazala Field Regiment, commanded two infantry brigades and an artillery brigade, and, as a Major General, took charge of an Infantry Division in the Western Sector. As a Lieutenant General, he commanded a Corps in Kashmir, playing a crucial role in counter-terrorism operations.
On September 1, 1996, he took command of the Northern Command and subsequently the Southern Command. Appointed Chief of Army Staff on October 1, 2000, General Padmanabhan, affectionately known as “Paddy” among his peers, was highly regarded for his dedication to soldier welfare, his vision for modernization, and his strategic insight. His leadership during Operation PARAKRAM was particularly notable. He retired on December 31, 2002, after 43 years of exemplary service.
In addition, General Padmanabhan served as Honorary ADC to the President of India. His death represents a significant loss to both the nation and the Indian Army. His contributions to national security and leadership will be remembered with great respect, stated a press release from the Defence Public Relations Office, New Delhi.
