WS-00644A Maj Kavita Rajput

Sir, We regret to inform the sad demise of WS-00644A Maj Kavita Rajput of 500 (I) Sig Coy on 21 Oct 12, 2012 at R & R Hospital.
The details of family are as follows:
Name and relationship: Mr Ranjeet Singh Rajput (Father)
Postal Address: H.No 456, Beoharbagh, Behind Dr. Satish Pande, Dist./P.O- Jabalpur (MP) PIN-482001 Cremation: 1300 hrs on 22 Oct 12 at Brar Square, Delhi Cantt. Other information about officer 1. Date of Birth: 01 Aug 1977
2. Date of Commission: 02 Mar 2002 3. Date of Demise: 21 Oct 2012 Lt col HP Singh

IC-4055F Brig Kevin Francis D Lima

SMS from Sigs Adm
TEEVRA CHAUKAS. Regret to inform about the sad demise of IC-4055F Brig Kevin Francis D Lima (Retd) on 09 Oct 12. 2012.
Address; 53 Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim, Goa-403521. NOK, Mrs. KF D'Lima.

One feels very sad to receive the news about passing away of Brig KF D'Lima at Goa, on 9 Oct 2012. He was one of the stalwarts of our Corps.
He was commissioned in to the Corps in 1948 ex 3rd Course IMA. During 1965 War he was 2ic 1 Armd Div Sig Regt and took over the command of the Regt after the War. Brig D' Lima was CSO 33 Corps in 1973-75 and I had the privilege of working very closely with him while in command of 33 Corps Sig Regt. It was a great learning process and pleasure working with him.
Brig D'Lima was professionally extremely sound and dedicated. He was a soldier, signaller and gentleman to the core. Known as Kevin to friends, he was very humane, took genuine interest in others, highly compassionate and helpful. He was an excellent hockey player and fond of out door life. He will be missed by one and all. We convey our deep sorrow and condolences to Mrs. D'Lima and family members. Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh

Brig DN Devine Jones

Brig Jones was a great sportsman excelling in boxing and soccer. He had good innings in the Corps and then changed over to APTC. Brig Jones did a lot in these two sports for the Corps of Signals and the Army, as also at National Level. His contributions will be remembered for long time to come.
We share the grief and sorrow of his family. May God rest the departed soul in peace.
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Col Commandant 1988-91

Brig KC Garga

With profound sorrow one pays Shradhanjli to dear Brig KC Garga. A gentleman to the core, ever smiling professional Signaller. His passing away at relatively young age is a very sad happening indeed. May Almighty rest the departed soul in peace and give courage to the Family to bear this untimely loss.
Sharing the grief.
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Col Commandant 1988-91

Brig KC Garga

With profund sadness,we wish to inform that our beloved father Brig KC Garga departed to heavenly abode on 19 Sep'12.
In his loving memory, on 30 Sep 2012, we will have a havan ceremony at 11 am at our residence (F-40 Kalkaji,3rd floor, New Delhi -19) and prayer meeting between 4-5 pm at mandir, E block kalkaji.
In grief,
Mrs Garga

SL-596L Brig DN Devine Jones

Signals Training Centre, MHOW. Boys' Company. Winners of the Six-A-Side Football 1946.
L -R : Standing- Harrington, Devine-Jones, Gardner [capt] Hemmings.
Sitting: Owen, Sgt Webber, Mott.

Late Brig Devine Jones conversing with Brig Ashok Rathore, Chairman, Army Sports Control Board

Indian boxing has lost a legend as former secretary of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation Brig (Retd) DN Devine Jones passed away at his residence here on Saturday. Jones was 82 and is survived by wife, daughter and two grandchildren.
Jones was part of the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC). He was elected as secretary of IABF in 1976 and was again re-elected in 1980. In 1985, he handed over the reins to late Capt Aspy Adajania.
He was a qualified International Referee & Judge in Boxing (AIBA R&J) and officiated at many international boxing championships abroad. Jones was also elected as an executive committee member of AIBA in 1986 and was later replaced by Adajania in 1987.
With his impeccable style, Brig Jones was an excellent sports administrator who was actively involved in the successful conduct of boxing at the Asian Games 1982 at Delhi.
A relatively unknown fact about the stalwart is that he was an outstanding football player too who represented India at the inaugural Asian Games held in Delhi in 1951.
Ref to earlier post in this blog: Click here

IC-7717K Brig Kailash Chandra Garg

We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-7717k Brig Kailash Chandra Garg(Retd) on 19 Sep 2012.
The details of his family are as follows:
Next of Kin
Mrs Mani Prabha Garg(Wife)
Other Information about Officer
1.Date of Birth : 11 Nov 1935
2.Date of Commission : 11 Dec 1955
3.Date of Retirement : 30 Nov 1989
Lt Col HP Singh
Dir Sigs Adm

Col SP Karir

I came to know Col SP Karir when he joined the Editorial Team of The Signalman. Of course his coursemates and those who did courses like SODE with him or served together in units knew him more intimately.
Col SP Karir was a very well read and informed, quiet worker who contributed a great deal towards the uplifting of The Signalman. Pleasant to deal with, he could be fully depended upon.
It is very sad that he left us all at rather a young age. May God bless his soul and give strength to his family and friends to bear the loss.
In sorrow,
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen

Col SP Karir

RIP Col SP Karir. May God grant eternal peace to the departed soul. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May god grant them courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Warm regards
Abhay Bhargava

Regret to inform that Col SP Karir left us for his heavenly aboard this morning. Cremation at Antim Niwas Noida at 3 pm leaving his home 646 / sec 28 arun vihar opp DPS at 2:15 pm.
Our heartfelt condolences to the breaved family.
May ALL MIGHTY rest the departed soul in peace.
Mrs Madu Karir -- 9868049928
Brother Col Lalit Karir 9891194365.
For Sigs Family
Brig Narinder Dhand

I am Shanti' coursemate.
Before shifting to Chandigarh, simran and i spent some time with him. In pain, but a fighter, he told plenty of jokes and livened up. Madhu who took good care of him, told us that his happiest moments were when his course mates/ old friends met him. A regular contributor to Signalman, he was always trying to pen his thoughts. A few weeks back, we remembered him on the Panchkula golf course. Gudu Chahal, Sohal from SIKH LI and I talked to him between the two greens for more than 20 mins.
He was so cheerful! Remembered every single details over the last 50 yrs! Itty Abraham who met him a few days before he and his wife spent a day with us on 13 Jul, at Chandigarh updated us as they had visited him a few days before.
Miss u pal. Pained at not hearing your voice that I was used over 50 yrs.
maj gen manmohan

We deeply mourn the demise of our friend Shanti.
A great persona that he was he will be missed badly.
God bless his soul and grant strength to his family.
Guddu Kumkum

Shocked to hear the sad news. We deeply mourn the death.
Fortunate to have worked together in East Comd Sig Regt. Our both families got one very well with kids of same age. He was a wonderful friend and human being and always reached out to help. His HONESTY cost him promotions.
Fortunate to have visited him and his family in 2010 during one my trips to Delhi. Please find attached the picture taken visiting him. Though chair bound he was as jovial as he used to be always even under adverse conditions. Madhu and his kids took real care of him to keep him Happy.
May GOD almighty give all the strength to the family to bear this sudden Loss.
In Sorrow.
Col KP Rao (Retd) & Sujata Rao Sparrow's Nest

Colonel Shanti Prakash Karir

*THE PROFESSOR IS NO MORE*

Yesterday, I lost a dear friend; and the course our Professor. Shanti Prakash Karir was a Dam Buster – we joined the NDA on 12 July 1961, the day the Kharakvasla dam burst, hence the name. Though we were in different squadrons, we were, sometimes, in the same class. We also had common interests, one of them being books. On a Sunday, one was more likely to find Shanti in the library than watching a movie in Poona. We came closer to each other after being commissioned into Signals, when we did the YOs course at Mhow. But I really came to know him during the three years we spent together doing the SODE course.
I think it was during the SODE that he got his nick name ‘Professor’. He was perhaps the most well read and knowledgeable among us. A book lover, he read almost anything, and was therefore considered an ‘intellectual’ , which probably resulted in his nick name. He sometimes wrote articles for the CME Weekly and the Signalman, which were full of humour. But he was really in his element when he joined the editorial team of the Signalman, many years later. He did a fantastic job and the journal improved, in the quality of its contents as well as its general appearance. Thankfully, it was then printed in black on white, and did not resemble a film a magazine, as it does now!
Shanti was a gentleman to the core. I am sure he must have had his faults, but I did not find any. For the last few years, his mobility was severely restricted, bit his mind was active as ever. When I got my copy of India Today and Outlook, the first thing I did was to run through Letters to the Editor. More often than not, I found a letter from him – brief, telling and purposeful. The fact that so many of his letters were accepted for publication is in itself a tribute to his talent. These journals get thousands of letters, and it is not easy to get one published. Shanti knew the score – his letters were never offensive, verbose, or irrelevant.
The Corps will miss Shanti, and so will the Dam Busters. As some of us were talking during his funeral today, he was the fifth one of our course, in Signals, to depart. All we can do is to pray for his soul – he was a good human being, and had suffered a lot during his last years. Of course, one can never match the loss and pain of his loved ones, but as close friends and colleagues, we too will miss him. Adieu, Professor. Rest in Peace.
Maj Gen VK Singh

SL-3088A Maj NK Singh

Sir, We regret to inform the sad demise of SL-3088A Maj NK Singh (Retd) on 27 Jun 2012.
The details of his family are as follows:
Next of Kin
Name and relationship : Mrs Neera Singh(Wife)
Tele No- 07662258176, 09755461029
Name of Children : Mr Neeraj Singh
Postal Address : Bharatpur House, Tala House Campus, Rewa (MP), Pin-486001
Cremation : 0800hrs on 28 Jun 12 at Bharatpur (MP).
With warm regards,
Lt Col HP Singh
Dir Sigs Adm

IC-34729H Lt Col Mohit Ghosh

Sir,
We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-34729H Lt Col Mohit Ghosh(Retd) on 18 May 12 IHNS Ashwani, Colaba, Mumbai.
The details of his family are as follows:
Next of Kin
Name and relationship : Mrs Meeta Ghosh(Wife)
Tele No- 9402169581
Name of Children: Mr Mohit Ghosh
Postal Address: Palace Compound, PO- Agartala Dist- West Tripura, Pin-799001
Cremation:1730Hrs on 18 May 12 at Marine Line, Mumbai.
Other Information about Officer
1.Date of Birth : 12 Feb 1950
2.Date of Commission : 22 Jul 1976
3.Date of Retirement : 28 Feb 1997
4.Date of Demise : 18 May 2012
With warm regards,
Lt Col Ripunjay Kumar
Offg Dir Sigs Adm

Lt Col Mahimai Rajan, VSM

Sad Demise of Lt Col Mahimai Rajan VSM
(He is cousin of Late Brig RA Rajan)
2nd Course IMA 1947
Retired in 1975
DOB: 21 Nov 1924
DOD: 02 Jun 2012
Place: Chennai
Burial Mass at Fathima Church Kodabakkam, Chennai
MOB: 9176661550 and 9841197951

IC-8486L Brig Dharm Vir

Sir,
We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-8486L Brig Dharm Vir (Retd) on 23 Mar 2012 at Indra Nagar, Lucknow UP
The details of his family are as follows:
Next of Kin
Name and relationship : Mrs Kanak Vir (Wife)
Name of Children:

Mrs Ruchi

Col Rajat Vir (HDMC-7 Secundrabad), Signals

Mr Rohit Vir
Postal Address: C-135, Indra Nagar, Lucknow(UP)
Cremation: 1600hrs on 24 Mar 12 at Electronic Crematorium Lucknow
Other Information about Officer
1.Date of Birth : 23 Apr 1936
2.Date of Commission : 09 Jun 1957
3.Date of Retirement : 30 Apr 1990
4.Date of Demise : 23 Mar 2012
With warm regards
Lt Col HP Singh
Dir Sigs Adm

Mrs Asha Bhargawa, w/o Lt Gen PD Bhargawa

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Mrs. Asha Bhargwa, wife of Lt Gen PD Bhargawa, former Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Colonel Commandant. She breathed her last on 28 Apr 2012, at NOIDA after prolonged illness. Mrs. Asha Bhrgawa, was member of the Corps of Signals family for nearly five decades. A doctor by professional she retired from AMC as Lt Col. As the first Lady she was extremely friendly, popular and approachable. Known as Ashi to close friends and relatives, she brought cheer and happiness to all around who came in contact with her. It is a great loss indeed to the Corps fraternity. Having known the great and ever smiling lady for nearly four decades, it is a great shock to get the sad news and difficult to believe that dear Ashi is no more in this world. However, her smiling and friendly persona will always be remembered. We fully share the great loss and grief of Gen PD Bhargawa and Family and pray to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul. Lt Gen and Mrs Harbhajan Singh

IC-6164 Maj Indu Prakash

I am sorry to inform you about the passing away of dear Indu Prakash on 28 March. Cremation was held at 1130 hrs on 29 March 12, Thursday, at Crematorium, IFFCO Chowk, NH-8. Chautha Ceremony will be held on 30th March from 1630 hrs-1730 hrs at F Block community Centre, DLF Phase-1 Gurgaon.
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)

Sir,
We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-6164 Maj Indu Prakash (Retd) on 28 Mar 2012 at DLF Phase-I, Gurgaon
The details of his family are as follows:-
Next of Kin: Mrs Nalini Prakash(Wife)
Name of Children: Mr Prasant and Mrs Shalini
Postal Address: H-40/8, Ground Floor, DLF Phase-I, Gurgaon(HR)
Cremation:1130Hrs on 29 Mar 12 at Crematorium, IFFCO Chowk, NH-8, Gurgaon
Other Information about Officer:
1.Date of Birth : 18 Aug 1932
2.Date of Commission : 28 Dec 1952
3.Date of Retirement : 02 Dec 1976
4.Date of Demise : 28 Mar 2012
With warm regards
Lt Col HP Singh
Dir Sigs Adm

Brig Dharamveer

Sad Demise of IC-8486 BRIG DHARAMVEER on Mar 23rd, 2012
We are very saddened to learn about the sudden passing away of Brig Dharamveer. He was an esteemed comrade in Arms, a great professional Signaller, unassuming and wonderful human being. It was always nice to interact with him professionally or otherwise.
We share the grief and immense loss of Mrs. Dharamveer and the family. May God rest the departed soul in peace.
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen

Lt Col AK Sethi

We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-15681L Lt Col AK Sethi (Retd) on 17 Feb 2012 at Noida.
The details of his family are as follows:-
Next of Kin
Name and relationship: Mrs Indira Sethi (wife)
Name of Children:
Mr Neeraj Sethi (Engr)
Lt Col Dheeraj Sethi (CO 27 (I) R & O Flight)
Postal Address: House No-1528, Sect-37, Noida
Cremation: 1300 Hrs on 18 Feb 2012 at Antim Niwas, Noida, Near Kalindi Kunj.
1.Date of Birth: 05 Jan 1943
2.Date of Commission: 30 Jun 1963
3.Date of Retirement:28 Feb 1990
4.Date of Demise: 17 Feb 2012
With warm regards
Lt Col HP Singh
Dir Sigs Adm

Dear fellow Veterans,
The Shanti Path was held at NOIDA this afternoon and was attended by large number of Signals Veterans and their wives.
The family and Col Sethi's Coursemates (Jun 63 Batch) have asked me to convey their thanks to all veterans and serving signallers for their condolences conveyed on phone, by email and in person.
They also thank the veterans and their families who took time off from their busy schedules to come and share their grief at the Shanti Path today.
Om Shanti.
Brig Narinder Dhand (Veteran)

Col Ashok Sethi

Col Grewal called up few minutes past 5 pm to inform that Col Ashok Sethi, 1528/37 Noida unfortunately left for his heavenly abode this afternoon at Fortis Hospital Noida.
Further information will follow.
Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Lt Col MK Mathur

We regret to inform the sad demise of IC-04854 Lt Col MK Mathur (Retd) on 03 Dec 2011 at Kailash Hospital, sect-27, Noida.
The details of his family are as follows:
Next of Kin
Name and relationship: Smt Pushpa Mathur (wife)
Name of Children
(a) Mr Kapil Mathur (Son, 57 Yrs)
(b) Mr Rajeev Mathur (Son, 56 Yrs)
Other Information about Officer
1.Date of Birth : 23 Jul 1926
2.Date of Commission : 06 Apr 1950
3.Date of Retirement : 31 Jul 1976
4.Date of Demise : 03 Dec 2011
With warm regards
Lt Col HP Singh
Dir Sigs Adm

Lt Gen RS Dayal, MVC

Lt-Gen Dayal passes away
The Gen was a legend and captured Hajipir Pass in 1965 War.
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, January 29

Lt-Gen Ranjit Singh Dayal (retd), a former Lieutenant-Governor of Pondicherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also former Governor of Goa, breathed his last at the Command Hospital here this evening. A highly decorated officer, General Dayal had been suffering from prostrate cancer, detected a few years ago. He was admitted to the hospital a few days back for terminal care after his condition deteriorated. Born at Kurukshetra on November 15, 1928, General Dayal was selected to the Indian Military Academy in 1946. He was commissioned in the Army. He joined the Punjab Regiment (Para) and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, which took part in the 1948 Indo-Pak war. He was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for capturing the strategically important Haji Pir Pass in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. He was survived by his wife and daughter. His cremation would take place with full military honours at the Sector-25 crematorium in Chandigarh at 2 pm tomorrow.

Tributes

Another good man gone. Great soldier, friend and an officer. We were together in Para Bde for 4 yrs and he was a great role model for youngsters. Daring, correct in his behavior and good fun. Though he was over four years senior to us we were BMs of bdes before '65 Ops and had some good evenings together when I went to Agra for a para refresher. I was in touch with him till very recently. May God rest his soul in peace.
Lt Gen SK Bahri
Former MGO

Lt Gen Ranjit Dayal was a soldier to the core and a perfect gentlemen in deed and spirit. It was my good fortune to have interacted with him at various times during my career and to have served as his Chief of Staff at HQ Southern Command when he was the Army Commander.
We in the Army mourn his loss and shall miss him. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Lt Gen Gurinder
Former Northern Army Commander

Lt Gen RS Dayal, PVSM, MVC, ADC was a great and brave soldier who distinguished himself in 1965 War as a major, when he led an assault during night time, and captured the important Hijipir Pass, in Jammu and Kashmir. He was awarded well deserved MVC for this and some other daring operations preceding capture of Hajipir Pass. Subsequently, he had a chequered career in India and abroad (Gaza) in higher appointments till he retired as GOC-in-C Southern Command in 1986.
Later he was Lt Governor of Pondichery, Andaman and Nicobar as also member UPS.
His tactful handling of the situation as Chief of Staff Western Command, during Operation Blue Star in 1984, by personally interacting with the agitated population around Amritsar, saved the situation in that area from flaring up.
I had the privilege of serving with him as Chief Signal Officer when he was the Army Commander Southern Command. His manner of command was by going to the place of action and not be office bound.
He had excellent relations with his counter parts in the Navy and Air Force, his peers and civil functionaries.
Gen Dayal was was a very humane, helpful, approachable, big hearted and popular officer who was held in very high esteem by the officers and men. Gen Dayal was also a good sportsman, excelling in hockey and golf. Parachuting was another sport after his heart.
The Indian Defence Forces have lost a great and legendary General and leader in his passing away. May his soul rest in peace.
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM
Former Signal Officer-in-Chief

Very sad news indeed. Although I had heard a great deal about this legendary and decorated soldier I first met Gen Dayal when he was Army Commander Southern Command, Pune, where I was also posted as Divisional Commissioner.
Ever smiling, with a large and warm heart, he had magnetic personality. We will all miss him.
Mr. KS Sidhu, IAS (Retd)
Former Divisional Commissioner Pune and Secretary Govt of Maharashtra