Lt Col Bhasker Chandra Panda

Dear Mrs. Panda,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the untimely demise of your husband. He was a very hard working person with extremely helpful attitude. We were room-mates for three months in JC(Inf) course at Army War College in 1975. He always prepared thoroughly for next day's discussions with detailed aide-memoires. He would pull me up for not preparing at all when I returned to the room after drinks and dinner. He would leave all his notes on my study table with strict orders to read them, and go to sleep. It was his help which saw me as a DS in JC Wing later in life. As a coincidence, we were back in Mhow in 1976 to attend Sigs CC Course.
After that we never met each other with him being in DRDO and I spending long tenures out the Corps. His memories for that assciation will stay with me. I have our group photo of CC course in my album.
May Col Panda's soul rest in peace and God be with you and the family.
Brig Kirpal Singh Grewal (Retd)

IC 19750N Lt Col Bhasker Chandra Panda

Dear Mrs Panda,
I was very sad to hear about the untimely demise of Col Panda who was very well known to me as we did the YO's course together in 1968. I retired last year and have not been active with Corps affairs since then. However Col Bhandari has been prompt in reacting to my request as you have noted.

Col Panda was indeed a simple and honest officer and did his work quietly and with dedication. We did meet off and on during our service in the Army.

As for the publication of the obituary, i very much appreciate the write-up given by you but wish to inform you that the Editor of The Siganalman magazine has his limitations of space. As such he would be able to accomodate the obituary details of your late Col Panda on the same lines as you would see for other officers of his rank. Hope you would appreciate this constraint.
With best wishes and regards,
Yati Panwar

Dear Mr Satyabrat,
Now that I have come to know about the sad demise of your Dad, through an email from Gen Y S Panwar, I shall publish his obituary in the June issue of The Signalman. Take care.
Lt Col(Retd)H S Bhandari
Asst Editor & Manager

IC 4827 Lt Col Vinod Kumar

20 May 10.
Dear Signallers,
I am sad to inform you about the demise of IC 4827 Lt Col Vinod Kumar (Retd), SIGNALS, on 20 May 2010, at Kolkata. He was commissioned in the Corps of Signals on 04 Jun 1950.
Next of Kin- Name and relationship: Mrs Channi Kumar, Wife.
We pray to Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.
Those of you who wish to write a "Shradhanjli", may kindly send it for being posted to our weblog -
http://reportmysignal-shradhanjli.blogspot.com/
The Shradhanjli be kindly emailed to - Col James Kanagaraj, The Moderator at - reportmysignalblogspot@gmail.com
In sorrow -
Chander Kamboj.
PS – Kindly see the email below received from Colonel Mukesh Kumar from Bhopal.

From: Col Mukesh Sharma colmukesh@gmail.com
Sent: 20 May 2010 14:52
Subject: DEATH RETIRED SIGNAL OFFICER
Respected Brig,
1. It is regretfully intimated that IC 4827 Lt Col (Retd) Vinod Kumar expired on 20 May 2010 at Kolkata at the age of 82 years after a short sickness followed by hospitalization. He was commissioned in the corps on 04 Jun 1950. He commanded 7 Inf Div Sig Regt & 1 RMC and had settled down at KOLKATA. Survived by Mrs Vinod Kumar (CHANNI). His two daughters Kavita & Pinki were with him when he breathed last at BM Birla Heart Research Centre at Kolkata.
2. Date of cremation and dates of ceremonies are NOT known.
Yours sincerely,
Lt Col Mukesh Sharma (Retd)

Col Kuldip Singh

Col Kuldip Singh was my coursemate. He was a true gentleman to the core. Absolutely unasuming. We pray to ALMIGHTY to grant peace to the departed soul and adequate strength to the near and dear ones to bear the irreparable loss.
OP Saxena
Lt Col (Retd)

IC 19750N Lt Col Bhasker Chandra Panda

Respected Brigadier Kamboj,
Your words in the mail below brought tears to my eyes, as you were able to see, like a father figure, the pain behind my words and having been compelled to write them, rather than the harshness in the face value of the words. Also, felt pain that senior Signallers like yourselves see yourselves as 'small fries'.

Anyways, the following is what I would request be published as my father's obituary:

IC 19750N Lt Col Bhasker Chandra Panda was commissioned into the Corps of Signals on 09 June 1968 and retired from the Army on 30th June 1996. He served in the Sugar Sector in the Western Command, 4 Corps in Eastern Command, Central Command Signals Regiment and in 19 Infantry Division Signals Regiment. He raised the Air Hq Air Formation Signals Company at New Delhi. He commanded 24 Wireless Experimental Unit in the Eastern Command, where he was able to achieve some major breakthrough. Thereafter he was seconded to DRDO Hyderabad, where he built up a communications network for DRDO from scratch. He thereafter served in Interim Test Range, Chandipur, Balasore in Orissa until retirement from Army in June 1996 and won appreciation from people like Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, (the then Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister) for his work contributing to communications for test launches of various missile programmes. After retirement from the Army, he worked 8 years in ITR as a Scientist and retired from there in 2004. A sincere worker and gentleman, equally polite and caring to his seniors as well as his subordinates, he always put the well being of his subordinates as his first priority, above and beyond that of his own and his family and was consistently courageous to speak out for and stand by his men. He always held that there is something to learn from every new experience.
Col Panda passed away on 06 July 2009 at Air Force Hospital Bangalore. He is survived by his wife Mrs Gita Rani Panda and son Satyabrat Panda. May his soul rest in peace.

Next of kin:
Mrs Gita Rani Panda
I shall be grateful for your help to get this published in the Signalman of which my father was a life member. Also, would you have contact details like email ids / phone numbers of the SO-in-C and the Commandant MCTE? Grateful if you could please share these if you have these.

Thanks so much
Satyabrat Panda

IC-19750N Lt Col B C PANDA

Dear Sir,
I would like to inform you about my father's demise on 06 July 2009 at Air Force Command Hospital, Bangalore. You might wonder why I am mailing about this so late. Fact is, I tripped onto your blogsite purely by accident, while trying to get the mail ids of the MCTE Commandant / and or the SO-in-C, to no avail. After all, it isn't just by mistake that the Corps of Signals is considered the comms / network/internet providing 'arm' of the army.
Here are the facts I would like to be highlighted on your site.
1) Had informed Signals directorate on 20th July 2009 about my father's death and assumed this would mean the info would be passed on to the MCTE guys for publication in the Signalman. Underestimated the bureaucratic mentality of India. After two editions of the magazine which have come out since July 2009, am yet to see my father's name listed in the obits.
2) Tried calling the MCTE landline numbers listed on some site, could not get through to either for days.
3) Called up some extn in AHQ, and spoke to a colonel who said he was an aide to the SO-in-C. This chap, typically, told me the gen was busy, blah blah, and he would ensure the information gets updated by MCTE on the next issue of Signalman. He also said, on my request, that the gen would call me back. (Not so far, it is been 45 days since my call).
It is shameful that this arm of the army which supposedly looks after comms in the 21st century, does not have email ids available for people to reach them. It is a good example to children of Indian Army officers (like me), which tells them how the Army values people who contribute the prime of their lives and take on so many hardships for the army and the country. (I say this because my father was actually a honest, hard working, result achieving officer, not one of the staff- college educated, golf playing, bullshit talking asses).
Grateful if you could please provide me some contact in the Signals directorate/ mcte who shall help ensure my father's obituary is published in the next version of Signalman.
Thanks,
Satyabrat Panda
(Son of Col BC Panda)

Col A K Chaudhari

Dear Friends,
The news of demise of Col A K Chaudhari is sad and shocking. "Chau" as he was fondly called by his course mates and friends, was an excellent and kind-hearted person gifted with natural and a rare sense of humour. I being from the same 29th Tech Course, IMA and from the same Cassino Company, fondly remember him as an ever cheerful cadet who always gave a helping hand to those in need during academy training days. He had the wits to make you laugh even in most adverse and difficult situations. He was physically tough and an outstanding sportsman. He was complemented in his life deservedly by Vandana, a gracious, and extremely caring lady who always remained calm and cheerful, even in adversity.

We all from the 29th Tech Course and Corps are going to miss "Chau" immensely. May God bless the departed soul and give courage and fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this great loss.
In sorrow,
Lt Gen (Retd) A K Saini

Lt Col Kuldip Singh

It is sad to learn about the demise of Signals fraternity member - Lt Col Kuldip Singh on 01 May 2010. May his soul rest in peace and God grant strength to the breaved family to bear the loss.
Col JL Chatterji

IC-31611P Lt Col Kuldip Singh

18 May 10.
Dear Signallers,
I am sad to inform you about the demise of IC-31611P, Lt Col Kuldip Singh (Retd), SIGNALS, on 01 May 2010, at 0130 hrs at IVY Hosp, Mohali.
Next of Kin
Name and relationship: Mrs Satinder Mohan Gill, Wife.
We pray to Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.
In sorrow -
Chander Kamboj.
PS – Kindly see the email below received from Sigs Adm, Dte Gen Of Signals.

Sent: 18 May 2010 15:05
To: CS Kamboj
Subject: DEMISE OF SIGNALS OFFICER
Sir,
We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-31611P Lt Col Kuldip Singh (Retd) on 01 May 2010, at 0130 hrs at IVY Hosp, Mohali. The details of his family are as follows:-.
Next of Kin
Name and relationship: Mrs Satinder Mohan Gill (Wife)
Name of Children:
Mr Vikram Singh (Son, 28 Yrs))
Ms Kamal Deep (Daughter, 30 Yrs)
Other Information about Officer
1. Date of birth: 01 Dec 1948
2. Date of Seniority: 21 Dec 1975
3. Date of retirement: 30 Nov 2001
4. Date of demise: 0130 hrs,01 May 2010
(AS Mankoo)
Lt Col
Dir Sigs Adm
For SO-in-C

Col AK Choudhary

It is a great shock to learn about the sad demise of Col AK Choudhary a onetime colleague in 1 Air Fmn Sig Regt during 1984-85 where we had some great time together. He was a fantastic human being, a very lovable character, possessed a wonderful sense of humour and of all an extremely handsome person who used to look and talk like an Angrez and we all loved it. We lived in the same colony too (Palam AF stn Vasisht Vihar) and even our children were great friends. If I know correctly he had even made it to Brig rank but could not put on the rank due to superannuation(pre-97)I believe.
My heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and we pray God Almighty for the soul to rest in peace.
In sorrow
Dr(Col)& Mrs VRK Prasad
Sons: Sudhama and Kartik

Col Anand Kishore Chaudhary

Dear Signallers,
I am sad to inform you about the demise of IC-24462L Col Anand Kishore Chaudhary, SIGNALS, at SMS Hospital, Jaipur on the morning of 15 May 2010.
He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for quite some time.
Next of Kin
Name and relationship: Mrs Vandana Chaudhary, Wife.
Those of you who wish to write a "Shradhanjli", may kindly send it for being posted to our weblog -
http://reportmysignal-shradhanjli.blogspot.com/
The Shradhanjli be kindly emailed to - Col James Kanagaraj, The Moderator at - reportmysignalblogspotatgmaildotcom
We pray to Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.
In sorrow -
Chander Kamboj.
PS – Kindly see the email below received from Brig Jagdish Malhotra, SIGNALS.
--------
From: Jagdish Malhotra
Date: Sat, May 15, 2010 at 9:04 AM
Subject: SAD DEMISE OF IC-24462 L COL ANAND KISHORE CHAUDHARY
Dear Brig Kamboj,
I am sorry to inform you of the sad demise of IC-24462L Col Anand Kishore Chaudhary at SMS Hospital, Jaipur on the morning of 15 May 2010. He had been suffering from Parkinsons Disease for quite some time. Details of NOK are as under:
Mrs Vandana Chaudhary, Wife
Mr Avneet Chaudhary, Son
The Cremation is at 1700 hours on 15 May 2010 at Jaipur.
In deep sorrow,
Brig Jagdish Malhotra, (Retd)

Lt Col VG Sowani

A function was held at the community hall of Signals Vihar on 7 May to pay tribute to the late Lt Col Sowani. It was attended by a large number of retired and serving officers. Mrs Sowani was kind enough to give me some photographs which I am sending for posting in the Shradhanjali section.
Dev Kumar Vasudevan
Mhow

Lt Col VG Sowani, SM

After getting my commission and completing the YO's course, I was posted to 1 Armd Div Sig Regt, where then Maj VG Sowani was my first company commander. I had my first lessons of officership under him. I always valued his fatherly advice on day to day issues of unit administration. I remember him as a soft spoken and a caring officer who laid great emphasis on training of young officers and gave full scope to their initiative in solving day to day problems. It was a pleasure to go with him on exercises as one learnt a lot in his presence. My thoughts go to Mrs. Sovani whom God may give the strength and courage to bear this loss.

Col SK Paranjape (Retd)

Lt Col VG Sowani, SM

In the passing away of Lt Col VG Sowani, the Corps has lost a revered Veteran. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
Col Sowani was a highly mature, kind hearted and unassuming officer. He imbibed the British ethos in his life style and functioning. He was a decorated soldier with Sena Medal, who had vast experience in the Corps. After retiring from the Army Col Sowani was with RAW.

I first met him in Srinagar in 1956 when he was commanding the Wireless Experimental Center there. Later he was my company commander in 1 Armoured Division Signal Regiment in 1958-59. During postings to Mhow, the association continued.

The Sowanis have been living on the Mall in Mhow for decades and during every visit to Mhow, meeting them has been a very pleasant event. We are going to miss Col Sowani immensely.

May God grant peace to the departed soul. Deeply in sorrow.

Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh
Former SO-in-C and Senior Colonel Commandant and Family

IC-3176 Lt col VG Sowani, SM

02 May
Dear Signallers,
I am sad to inform you about the demise of IC-3176 Lt Col VG Sowani, SM (Retd), Signls, on 01 May 2010, at 2310h at MH, Mhow, MP.
Next of Kin
Name and relationship: Mrs Vasundhara Sowani (Wife)
Date and time of Cremation: At Peat Cremation Ground, at 1800 hrs on 03 May 2010
We pray to Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all near ones and dear ones to bear this irreparable loss.
In sorrow -
Chander Kamboj.
PS – Kindly see the email below received from Dte Gen of Signals.

From: sigsadm@indiatimes.com
Sent: 02 May 2010 13:34
To: CS Kamboj; kd arya ddg ss
Subject: DEMISE OF SIGNALS OFFICER
We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-3176 Lt col VG Sowani,SM (Retd) on 01 May 2010, at 2310h at MH,Mhow.
Name and relationship: Mrs Vasundhara Sowani (Wife)
Cremation
Date and time of Cremation: At Peat Cremation Ground, at 1800 hrs on 03 May 2010
1. Date of birth: 11 Sep 1920
2. Date of Seniority: 04 Feb 1942
3. Date of retirement: 03 Feb 1970
4. Date of demise: 2310 hrs, 01 May 2010
5. Last appointment held. : -
(AS Mankoo)
Lt Col
Dir Sigs Adm, For SO-in-C