New Delhi: Personalities such as Late Lt Gen Srinivas Kumar Sinha remain a source of inspiration for the Government as India advances with a clear and firm approach on issues concerning national sovereignty, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh said.
In a video message delivered at a memorial lecture organised to mark the birth centenary of Lt Gen Sinha, the Raksha Mantri paid rich tributes to the distinguished soldier, diplomat, and administrator, describing him as a leader who consistently placed the nation above all else.
Recalling his exemplary service, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted Lt Gen Sinha’s role during critical moments in India’s military history. Born in 1926, Lt Gen Sinha served on the Burma front during the Second World War and played a pivotal role in 1947 by coordinating the first airlift of Indian Army troops to Srinagar during the advance of Pakistan-backed forces towards Kashmir. He also lauded Lt Gen Sinha’s exceptional professionalism and intellectual calibre, reflected in his outstanding performance at Indian and British Staff Colleges.
The Raksha Mantri noted that Lt Gen Sinha made lasting contributions to strengthening the institutional framework and modern thinking within the Indian Army during his tenures as Director of Military Intelligence, Adjutant General, and in various command appointments. He added that Lt Gen Sinha continued to serve the nation with distinction even after retirement—strengthening India–Nepal relations as Ambassador to Nepal and working for security, stability, and development as Governor of Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan described Lt Gen Sinha as a Soldier-Statesman, Scholar-Warrior, and a man of character. He urged members of the Armed Forces to draw lessons from Lt Gen Sinha’s leadership across both military and civil domains.
Emphasising the need for balanced leadership, the CDS said senior commanders must foster a culture that values professional military education, ethical conduct, and informed debate alongside gallantry. He stressed that officers at all levels must combine discipline with reflection, firmness with empathy, and courage with moral clarity. He also underlined the role of veterans and the media in safeguarding the credibility of the Armed Forces by recognising restraint, ethics, and nation-building efforts in times of peace.
Referring to the evolving nature of modern warfare—spanning cyber, space, information, and cognitive domains—Gen Chauhan highlighted the growing importance of soldier-scholars capable of critical thinking and analysis. He called upon personnel to emulate Lt Gen Sinha’s courage in uniform, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering commitment to constitutional values, stating that such qualities enable soldiers not only to protect the nation’s borders but also to help shape India’s destiny.
The event was attended by former Chiefs of the Army Staff Gen NC Vij, Gen Deepak Kapoor, and Gen Dalbir Singh, along with Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen PP Singh. Around 300 serving and retired Armed Forces personnel, as well as members of Lt Gen Sinha’s family, were present at the commemorative programme.