Dear All,
It is sad to hear the sad demise of Brig Apte whom I have known since 1972 and later from 1982 onwards. I called on him on Oct 2010. He was fragile but still in great spirits and was keen to meet over a cup a tea. As a member of our Sainikpuri Society, he did yeomen service to the veterans settled down in and around Sainikpuri society.
1. Worked relentlessly to get the Post Office to the colony.
2. Managed to get Sub-Area Canteen outlet to the Colony.
3. Took great initiative to organise voluntary help at MI room established at Vayupuri colony and also at Sarada Hospital (Under Ramakrishna Mission) opposite our colony
I must share this with all of you for posterity to honour the departed soul where he could deny the privileges for the welfare of junior officers.
When he was our CSO 15 Corps, I was serving in 3 Inf Div Sig Regt during 72-75. I was nominated for Pre-Staff course at Gulmarg and another signal officer Maj Sarna from J Comn Sig Regt was also nominated. He was so kind to allot Mercury hut for both of us breaking all norms for the entire duration of the course so that we both could comfortably stay with family. Having done that, he had to face the crisis of S-O-in-C designate Gen Sapra wanting to stay during that time.
CO of the 15 Corps Sig Regt ordered us to vacate without making any alterante arrangements for us. When he came to know of it, he fired the CO and asked him to make alternate arrangements to the S-O-in-C designate without disturbing us.
I narrated this incident several times to the retired signal officers and sharing with you all now. This is the only way I can pay my tributes to him being in US since December 2010. I am fortunate to have almost 30 years of continuous association with him after his retirement.
Please convey our deep sympathies to Mrs Apte and his daughter and son-in-law Uppal when you meet them.
In Sorrow,
Col (Retd) KP Rao and family
I am deeply grieved to learn of the sad demise of Brig Apte. I am writing to Mrs Sunanda Apte and to his younger brother Lt Gen SS Apte (Bapu).
Brig Anand Apte did OLT course together at Mhow and became close friends for life. I last met him when I went to look him up at his house in secunderabad two years back. Anand Apte was one of the most principled and upright persons I have ever met.
-Veteran BK Rai
