Former chief of army staff General Sunith Rodrigues passed away on March 4 at the ripe age of 88.
General Rodrigues (Retd) was the 15th chief of Indian army from July 1 1990 to June 30 1993. He was appointed Governor of Punjab where he served from 2004 to 2010. The beloved son of Goa was a soft spoken person but always sported a smile on his face. He was outspoken and expressed his views fearlessly on national security.
A highly decorated army officer he contributed immensely to the strengthening of the Indian army and was a remarkable administrator during his tenure as the Governor of Punjab and administrator of Chandigarh. General Rodrigues was an authority on terrorism and counter insurgency. He always advocated discipline in the forces. He insisted upon the importance of man behind the gun. He felt that modernisation of the army is not about purchasing the latest military hardware. It is also about the welfare of soldiers and keeping them motivated. All Goans are proud of his service to the motherland. Known as a thinker and strategist, he leaves behind a legacy of utmost dedication and service.
