Brig AS Apte

It was with deep distress that we learnt of the sad demise of Anand Apte. I have just spoken to his wife and conveyed our deep condolences.
He joined the IMA with the First Post War(1939-45) Course on 18 Feb 1946 and though he was commissioned, six months later than us, in Jun 1947, he was always considered part of the First Course.
Anand served as a colleague with me in the Signals Directorate in the early sixties. He was a fine officer, extremely dedicated to make a thorough job of whatever was assigned to him; a thorough gentleman and a good friend. After retirement he remained in close touch with all Corps events. I am aware he attended every function at which veterans were invited and did all he could to boost the morale of veterans and serving personnel alike.
It may not be well-known but he was so attached to the Corps and the First Course, in particular, that he established contact with GOCinC ARTRAC, during his visit to Secunderabad and followed it up with him, when he became the COAS, to seek concurrence to a Signal officer of the First Course to review the Passing out Parade at the IMA on a suitable date, preferably the 60th Anniversary of commissioning of the First Course in Dec 2006. It was his regret that the request could not be acceded due to prevalent custom and tradition.
We invoke the Blessings of the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and courage to the family to bear the loss with fortitude
With regards
(Lt Gen MS Sodhi, Former SO-in-C)

I offer my Shradhanjli to the departed soul.
It was great to know Late Brig A S Apte. He will be remembered for his great Community Service at Sainikpuri and one of his great writing “A Spiritual Odyssey - An Exploration of the Scriptures of the Nine Living Religions of the World”.
Regards,
Lt Col(retd) V V P Menon