Lt Gen (Retd) ID Verma

Lt Gen (Retd) ID Verma, PVSM, ex SO-in-C and Senior Colonel Commandant, passed away on 29 Oct 09 at Delhi. Commissioned in 1940, he became the first Indian officer to head the Indian Signal Corps School at Mhow during Partition (1947) as its Offg Comdt. He came back as Colonel to head the School in 1954 and remained at the helm till 1959. Incidentally, the ISC School was renamed as School of Signals on his bidding and the School became College (MCTE) in 1967 when he was the SO-in-C. As Comdt MCTE, he was instrumental in changing the site of the Corps of Signals HQ Mess from the proposed B I Bazar area to its present location in the Airfield (One Tree Hill).

The Gen Officer became the SO-in-C on 23 Jul 1966 and relinquished this appointment on 02 Jan 1971 when he opted out prematurely to serve in the private sector. He, however, continued to be the Colonel Commandant till 30 Sep 1976. As SO-in-C his most remarkable contribution was the implementation of PLAN AREN which revolutionised the Army communications.

In his passing away the Corps has lost one of its most revered and celebrated compatriot. And, the MCTE mourns his demise that much painfully. (being two-time Commandant with the longest reign)

To pay obeisance a formal condolence meeting was held at the Iyappa Hall, MCTE on 29 Oct 09 which was attended by serving and retired officers and ladies. Lt Gen VK Sharma, Comdt MCTE, Maj Gen (Retd) BS Paintal and Maj Gen (Retd) Yashwant Deva paid the glowing tributes.

May the Almighty grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss.

Lt Col (Retd) H S Bhandari
Editor, MCTE Newsletter