SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY
shashwat@herald-goa.com
Goa’s beloved son, former Chief of Army Staff and former Governor of Punjab General Sunith Francis Rodrigues (Retd), passed away on Friday, leaving behind a rich legacy.
A soft spoken person and always sporting a smiling demeanour, Gen Rodrigues was a man of principles. He always had a clear opinion on any issue pertaining to national security and military leadership.
This scribe had the honour of interviewing him a couple of times at his residence in Defence Colony, Porvorim. Sitting in his massive study room, he would bare open his heart on modern day security challenges confronting India and the world at large.
A no nonsense man, Gen Rodrigues was an authority on terrorism and counter-insurgency. He always advocated for discipline in the officer cadre. He insisted upon the importance of “man behind the gun”. He would always tell that modernisation of the army is not just about purchasing the latest military hardware. It is also about taking the welfare of soldiers and keeping them motivated at all costs because “it is the men who fight the war, not weapons”.
Gen Rodrigues joined the Joint Services Wing of the Indian Military Academy in 1949 and was commissioned on December 28, 1952 into the Regiment of Artillery. He was also a qualified artillery aviation pilot.
He was very vocal in engaging the local population in insurgency-hit areas. Whenever we spoke about terrorism, he would lay emphasis on winning over the local population with compassion as they were the ones worst affected with militancy.
According to him, this method was the best way to not only prevent the militant organisations from creating unrest, it also helps in getting very reliable intelligence inputs regarding the whereabouts of the hiding militants.
He always emphasised on the need to prepare the rank and file for the information warfare to tackle propaganda in militancy hit areas.
He however always expressed his regret that not many Goan youth opted for armed forces as a career despite Goa producing some very illustrious officers in the armed forces. “There is no bigger honour than serving your motherland. I wish more young boys and girls from Goa join the armed forces,” he would say.
In 1972, after the war with Pakistan, he was awarded the VSM for distinguished service. He was Chief Instructor at Defence Services Staff College from 1979 to November 1981.
After his retirement Rodrigues was Director of the International Centre, Goa for nearly six years. He served two terms on the National Security Advisory Board. Since his retirement, he was engaged in social and literary pursuits and has also delivered talks on strategic issues.
The former Indian Army chief was a people’s General without doubt. This was evident from the love and respect he commanded from the people of Goa. Rest in Peace Chief. It was an honour knowing him. His demise is a colossal loss for the entire nation.
