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Dear Members of the Corps of Signals fratenity,
With grief we are posting details of our colleagues who leave for their heavenly abode. We request members to forward their "shradhanjali". Kindly share with us the photographs, fond memories and association.
We await tributes from associates/ course mates for publication.
Blog Team

RMS Tributes
  • Amar Jawan: Roll of Honour of the Indian Armed Forces
  • The Kargil Memorial
  • Thursday, December 27, 2007

    Brig TS Chowdhary

    I regret to inform you of the sudden & sad demise of IC-8208X Brig TS Chowdhary, AVSM this morning. He apparently had a massive heart attack(MI) at around 10 am, while at home, was rushed to the Emergency at Moolchand Hospital, but could not be revived. The cremation is scheduled at 1130 hrs on 28 Dec at Electric Crematorium, Lodhi Road.

    Brig Chowdhary was 73 yrs old and is survived by his wife Mrs Kanval Chowdhary and sons Dr TS Chowdhry, Dental Surgeon & Lt Col(Dr) GS Chowdhary, AMC, Oncologist.

    We pray to the Almighty to give peace to departed soul and strength to the near and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.

    Maj Gen PS Arora
    27 Dec 2007
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    I had known him for many Years. An active Officer who had contributed to our Corps. We convey our heartfelt condolences to Mrs Chowdhary & other Family Members. May his soul Rest in Peace. May God give courage to his family members to bear the Loss.

    Brig & Hema Vasavan
    Dated: 29 Dec 2007
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    Brig T S Chowdhary was a very fine gentleman and a great friend, I had the pleasure of knowing him. We pray to God to give his soul place at His Lotus feet. In grief and sorrow we convey our condolences to dear family members.

    I N Bhatia
    Dated: 29 Dec 2007
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    We, the members & families of the Chandigarh Mercury Circle are deeply shocked at the sad demise of Brig TS chowdhary. We sincerely pray to Almighty God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this great loss.

    Dated: 30 Dec 2007
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    Tuesday, December 18, 2007

    Vijay Diwas : Shradhanjli


    ‘Report My Signal’ Blog Team pays tribute to our Soldiers who displayed valour and bravery of the highest degree in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 .

    We lost some of our comrades. Our thoughts go to all the Veterans and their Families. God Bless!!

    Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
    www.FreeMarketsDefence.blogspot.com
    (Picture Kind Courtesy http://www.ndtv.com/)

    Saturday, December 15, 2007

    Col V Mani Vannan

    With deep grief and sadness I inform the tragic demise of Colonel V Mani Vannan Commanding Officer, Victor Force Signal Regiment on 24 Sep 2007 while on operational duty in Kashmir. His body after full Military Honours/ Tributes was flown to Coimbatore Airport on 26 Sep 2007, which was received by Col Sathya Narayana , the Previous Commanding Officer of the same Signal Regiment. Army Contingent, The Govt of Tamil Nadu represented by the Collector and Commissioner of Police Coimbatore awarded State Police and Military Honours at the Coimbatore Airport at 1100 hrs. The body, thereafter, was taken to Pollachi, his hometown, where his family reside. He is survived by his wife Shanthi, daughter Prithy and son Karthic.

    State Police and Military honours by MRC Wellington were given at the electric cremetorium, Pollachi. Wreaths were laid on behalf of COAS, GOC in C Northern Comd, GOC V Force, GOsC, Delhi Area, ATNK&K Area, SO in C, Maj Gen AJS Lamba, CI, DSSC, Wellington, CSO ATNK&K Area, Air Force Station Commander Ciombatore, Govt of Tamilnadu, the Collector, SP and individual officers both serving and retired. All signals offrs in DSSC, lead by Col Bhola were in attendance.

    Kalaignar M Karunanidhi the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was apprised of the sad demise and he has sanctioned the maximum facilities and grant to the bereaved family. He has lauded the Indian Armed Forces, their extreme sacrifice, loyalty and courage. Retired Signallers Maj SKG Ramasamy, Hav N S Mani, Nk Manimuthu, other signallers and I from Chennai offered our condolences to the bereaved family. Col V Manivannan 44 years old, alumni of Sainik School Amaravathi Nagar, Coimbatore and from 40 Tech Graduates Course, IMA , was commissioned in 1987. May his soul rest in peace.

    K Malaiappan
    Col (Retd)
    Thursday, September 27, 2007 5:14 PM

    Lt Col Surinder Kumar

    I regret to inform you the death of Lt Col Surinder Kumar on 08 Oct 2007, at 6.30 am in RR Hospital. He was a Quarter Master of Army Headquarters Signals Regiment during Maj Gen BP Murgai and Maj Gen SS Bains tenure. He was very active member of Signals family and always gave inputs to AG's Branch and Pay Commission regarding unfair treatment being meted to JCOs/ ORs and Officers in their pay and pension.

    He was 81 years old and was going for 4 km morning walk daily. He had a brain hemorrhage last week, and was admitted in RR Hospital. He was utterly honest and extremely helpful to ORs and JCOs. His mature and respectful inter-personal relations left a mark on whosoever came in contact with him. May God give peace to his soul.

    PD Bhargava
    Lt Gen (Retd)
    Monday, 8 October, 2007

    Tuesday, December 4, 2007

    Lt Col Sylvester M D'Souza

    IC-10126 Lt Col Sylvester M D'Souza left for his heavenly abode on 27 Nov 2007 at Goa. Sylvester retired from service on 01 Dec 1987 and had settled down in Goa. We served together in Western Command Signal Regiment at Jatogh in 1968-69. Subsequently, also, met him a few times on visits to 2STC. Ajit and I have fond memories of him and Mrs. D’Souza.
    Sylvester was a very cultured, mature and friendly person. He interacted with others affably and was very popular. He always tried to counsel JCOs, NCOs and OR and explained things to them with great patience. He was a gentleman to the core and a good friend. His passing away so early is very sad and a big loss.
    With profound grief.

    Harbhajan Singh
    Lt Gen (Retd)

    P.S. Friends and colleagues of Sylvester D’Souza may please add on to the above and pay their homage/ Shradhanjli to the departed Soul. Thanks.

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    It was a matter of great sorrow to learn about the sad demise of Sylvester D'Souza. We were both ADSOs at Indarmy Signal Center in 1961-62, along with SK Vij, Natarajan, GK Singh etc. etc., and I have extremely fond memories of that association with Sylvester. When I think of him today, I think of him as a sincere friend with qualities of team spirit, very positive attitude, of affable nature and embodied with great sense of humour. We will miss him, but his spirit lives forever amongst us.

    I am very keen to call his family in Goa. Can someone in 2 STC be kind enough to post his phone number or e-mail contact of his family to Moderator of the Blog?

    Sharad Paranjape
    Col (Retd)

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    Me and my wife met Mrs D'souza on 02 Dec 2007, I had served with him in 1979 in 3TTR. He was the 2I/C.
    He had heart trouble for some time and was admitted for breathlessness just a day before his demise.
    He is survived by Mrs D' Souza and one son and two daughters. All of them are married and settled.

    Nandan V Pande
    Maj Gen

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    I am very sad to learn of the untimely demise of Lt Col SM D'souza. Not only he was a course mate from the IMA days but we were also in the same company Sangro, and in the same platoon and hence had frequent interaction. All old memories come flooding back to mind now. We did putty parades together and would invariably be together doing sentry duties during camps at the IMA. He had an uncanny sense of humour and would keep us amused even when one felt low. His appearance belied the steely resolve within.
    Sylvester had a problem doing the beam during PT and could not pass the test. We were thrilled when Sylvester won the boxing event in his weight and was promptly deemed to have passed the PT test as well. If I am not wrong, his opponent was Oswyn Pereira in the finals. Oswyn another course mate who joined the Corps of Signals was himself a fighter and an excellent boxer . Sylvester, with his long reach, gave him no chance to ever get close to his body and won the bout.
    Sylvester was a thorough gentleman, who could harm no one and was always ready to help. My last meeting with him was during our degree course in Pune/ Mhow. Though we never served together but kept in touch through friends and inquired of each other's well being. Perhaps we could have met during the course get together at the IMA during the middle of this month but it was not destined to be.
    Through this forum, I would like to send our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.

    MA Siddiqui
    Lt Col (Retd)
    Date:05 Dec 2007

    Monday, December 3, 2007

    Maj Gen Jaswant Singh

    IC-433, Maj Gen Jaswant Singh, one of our very senior and revered officers, left for his heavenly abode on 23 Nov 2007, at Bangalore, after a brief illness. He celebrated his 90th birthday in May 2007.Maj Gen Jaswant Singh was commissioned into the Corps of Signals on 01 Jun 1941. He commanded 1 Armoured Divisinal Signal Regiment from 24 Nov 1947-07 Dec 1948. During this period, 1 Armoured Division had moved to Southern Command and spear headed Operation Polo (Hyderabad Operations). He was responsible for providing signal communications for the speedy march of the Division and other Indian Forces, which liberated the State of Hyderabad in less than a week.

    The General was subsequently Chief Signal Officer 11 Corps from 10 Jun 1953 to 12 Dec 1956, Chief Signal Officer Southern Command from 26 May 1960-18 Jul 1962 and then Chief Signal Officer Western Command, from 09 Apr 1963-01 Jun 1965. From Oct 1968 onwards, Maj Gen Jaswant Singh was Director General Resettlement. He retired from Service on 26 Jun 1972 and lived in Defence Colony New Delhi.

    Maj Gen Jaswant Singh was a thorough professional and very kind hearted officer, who endeared himself to all ranks of the Corps. As can be seen from the appointments he held, he had vast experience in planning and providing Signal Communications at all levels.

    The Family has the proud privilege of having another Maj Gen in the Corps, Maj Gen Surjit Singh (2nd IMA Course), younger brother of Maj Gen Jaswant Singh, who lives in Defence Colony, New Delhi.For the past few years Maj Gen Jaswant Singh was staying in Bangalore with his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Madhu Singh at Whitefield, Bangalore.

    The Corps has lost one of its illustrious and very senior General Officer. May God bless the departed Soul.

    Harbhajan Singh
    Lt Gen (Retd)

    Brig BL Kapur

    Dear Banwari was an officer of very high grade, with exceptional intelligence, having very high grade military acumen. He was technically very sound, did exceedingly well in SODE Course and got ‘A’ grading.He came into his own in Higher Command Course at the College of Combat. His tactical analysis of the situations and planning during various exercises, won him the appreciation from the then Commandant.
    Later he excelled as Col GS Ops 16 Corps. B L had the courage of conviction and never hesitated in saying what he believed in. At times, he even had some heated discussions with very senior officers and stood his ground.Banwari and Mrs. Kapur have been very popular couple and liked to meet friends in the evenings. Banwari liked his drink and it was always a pleasure to be in his company. He was so jovial and made the evenings lively.

    After retirement he was in the industry for over a decade and won kudos. Alas he left us all so suddenly on 12 july 2007, rather suddenly. We miss him so much.I called on Mrs. Kapur on 2nd Nov. She is bearing up with the immense loss, bravely. Our deepest sympathies with her and Family members. May God bless our dear friend Brig BL Kapur’s soul.

    Harbhajan Singh
    Lt Gen (Retd)

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    Brig BL Kapoor was commissioned into the Corps of Signals in June 1951. After the YO’s course he was posted to a field unit. In 1956, as a Captain he was selected for the Officers Short Telecom Course (OST-6), from 1957 to 1959, at the College of Military Engineering, Pune, and School of Signals, Mhow.
    He took over as the course senior. In this capacity, his diplomatic handling of zealous subalterns, in a Pune environment, with tact and firmness brought praise from the staff and respect from the officers on the course. His personal performance on this technical course also reflected his intelligence, technical aptitude, and his capability to work hard.
    He continued to make his contribution to the progress of the Corps, and finally took over as CSO at Chandimandir. His contribution to the battleworthiness of a major strike formation was highly appreciated. He arranged frequent meetings with the ex-servicemen of the Corps, and actively helped solve their problems by interaction with army formations as well as the states civil administration. As the CSO he dealt with situations with intelligence, calmness, logical thinking, and with full confidence that operational tasks would be commendably performed by units that he had trained and guided.
    In Brig Kapoor’s demise the Corps of Signals has lost a capable and popular senior Officer. We pray to God that his soul rest in peace, and He grant strength to his family to bear the loss.

    Inderjit Singh
    Lt Col (Retd)

    Maj Gen MC Rawat

    I first saw Maj Gen MC Rawat, way backing 1950, while as a cadet in JSW (later NDA). Some of the Cadets were taken on a visit to Operational Areas in J&K. Gen Rawat, then a Subaltern was Sparrow, 17 Para Field Regiment located at Pattan. His younger brother is our Course mate and so we had a link with him.

    Next we as a Course met Gen Rawat in School of Signals (now MCTE), in 1953, when we arrived there for the YO’s Course. He was our Group Officer. Gen Rawat endeared himself with the Course and was a very good influence, with his mature and balanced personality. He was always calm and cool and a man of moderate habits. Maj Gen Rawat used to play good Hockey and was quick on his feet. Hockey was the main game those days.

    In 1973-74 he was CSO 33 Corps and I had the good fortune to be Commanding 33 Corps Signal Regiment during that period. A few years before that he was GSO1 Signals Adm, in Sigs Dte and was responsible for literally grabbing the present accommodation occupied by the DG Signals in Sena Bhawan, in a kind of special operation!! Otherwise Sigs Dte would have carried on in Hutments for many more years.

    Maj Gen MC Rawat was a very humane person, mature and balanced in his dealings, took considered decisions, was approachable and at the same time firm and highly capable.
    He passed away rather early in life on 18 Oct 2007. He will be missed by one and all. It was very sad to meet Mrs. Rawat a few weeks back. Our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Rawat. We pray to God to bless his soul.

    Harbhajan Singh
    Lt Gen (Retd)

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    In 1953, I was doing my YO’s 10 course, at School of Signals, Mhow. (Then Capt) MC Rawat completed his OST course and was appointed our Group Officer. A good sportsman and professionally sound Capt Rawat became a role model for us, taking full part in sports, cultural and professional activities, and encouraging us to do the same.

    We shared a special bond with him, which comes only when young officers, freshly inducted into the Army, are properly guided and encouraged to integrate with and feel proud of the arm that they have been inducted into. This was further strengthened by the fact that his younger brother was our course mate from NDA.

    We watched with pride his rise to the rank of Maj Gen (our group officer!). He also followed our achievements, in service, as well as post service. It gave him great satisfaction to see our progress, especially when one of the young officers he had trained, went on to become the SO in C. The Corps has lost a distinguished senior officer, who played a role in building up the Corps. We pray to God to grant him peace and give strength to his family to bear the loss.

    Inderjit Singh
    Lt Col (Retd)