The Indian Army bid a dignified and sincere farewell on August 20, 2024, to General Sundararajan Padmanabhan (Retired), the former Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on 18th August in Chennai at the age of 83.
He was India’s 20th chief of Army staff, also known as Paddy among his peers. The last rites of General Padmanabhan were conducted with full military honors at the Besant Nagar Electric Crematorium in Chennai.
He served the nation for 43 years and retired on 31 December 2002. Numerous veterans who served with General Padmanabhan also gathered to pay their last respects, reflecting on his exceptional leadership, commitment, and the unforgettable legacy he left behind in the Indian Army.
Many senior serving officers paid tribute and laid wreaths in a mark of deep respect and reverence to General Padmanabhan. A wreath was also laid on behalf of the Chief of the Army Staff.
Lieutenant General Tarun Kumar Aich, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, Director General Artillery and Lieutenant General Karanbir Singh Brar, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area laid the wreaths.
General Padmanabhan was Born on December 5, 1940, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was an alma mater of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun, and the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla.