New Delhi. Former Vice Chief of Army Staff, who went on to become the Governor of insurgency-infested states of Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, passed away in New Delhi November 17.
Born in 1926, Lt Gen SK Sinha graduated with Honours from Patna University in 1942 at the young age of seventeen. He joined the Army soon thereafter passing out as the Best Cadet from the Officers Training School, Belgaum. He saw combat during the Second World War in Burma and Indonesia and after Independence in Kashmir.
The General commanded battalion of 5 GORKHA RIFLES in Ladakh, a brigade in Manipur, a Mountain Division in Assam, Infantry Division in Jammu, a Corps and a field Army in the Western Theatre. He also had the distinction of serving as Adjutant General and Vice Chief of Army Staff.
During his varied career, Lt Gen Sinha, in 1949 was appointed Secretary of the Indian delegation for delineation of the Cease Fire Line in Kashmir. In 1972 he led the Indian delegation to Italy for a conference on application of human rights to warfare. In recognition of his service he was awarded Param Vishist Sewa Medal in 1973.
As a Statesman, Lt Gen Sinha was appointed India’s Ambassador to Nepal in 1990. Appreciative of his work the then Prime Minister of Nepal had said, “General Sinha was as much India’s Ambassador to Nepal as Nepal’s Ambassador to India”. He also had been Governor of two insurgency prone States of Assam and J&K.
A prolific writer, he authored five books including one on Jammu and Kashmir Operation of 1947-48 and his autobiography, “A Soldier Recalls”.
The ‘Soldier Statesman’ was laid to rest at Brar Square in New Delhi the very next day of November 18.
Although, he is not live among us but he will always remain in our hearts.
