v.1.0 February 15, 2005 General Vaidya, 15th Chief of Army Staff and seventh post-independence
commander of 9 (Deccan) Horse, commanded his regiment in the Battle of Asul
Uttar, 1965, and led 2nd (Independent) Armored Brigade in the
Battle of Shakergarh, in 1971. As COAS 1983-1986 he oversaw Operation Blue Star, the
necessary but controversial and bloody attack on the Golden Temple, 1984.
This holy site is to the Sikhs what the Vatican is to Catholics. It had
been taken over by terrorists seeking independence for Indian Punjab. The storming of the Golden Temple was the cause of his
eventual death. He was assassinated by two Sikh extremists shortly after
his retirement. General Vaidya was a man of great modesty, quiet
charm, and an ironic sense of humor, often in play at his own expense.
Though required by the dignity of position to present a certain exterior to
the world, on meeting him one was immediately struck by his eyes and
expression, wise, sad, and self-mocking, as if to say: “I just do my job to
the best I can, and never expected to rise to command the Indian Army. But
here I am with an army of a million and a great nation to pay me respect;
yet I already know how fleeting the glory, and I refuse to take all this
pomp and circumstance with any degree of seriousness.”
General Arun. S. Vaidya
Ravi Rikhye
