General Vaidya, 15th Chief of Army Staff and seventh post-independence commander of 9 (Deccan) Horse, commanded his regiment in the Battle of Asul Uttar, 1965, and led 2nd (Independent) Armored Brigade in the Battle of Shakergarh, in 1971.

 

As COAS 1983-1986 he oversaw Operation Blue Star, the necessary but controversial and bloody attack on the Golden Temple, 1984. This holy site is to the Sikhs what the Vatican is to Catholics. It had been taken over by terrorists seeking independence for Indian Punjab.

 

The storming of the Golden Temple was the cause of his eventual death. He was assassinated by two Sikh extremists shortly after his retirement.

 

General Vaidya was a man of great modesty, quiet charm, and an ironic sense of humor, often in play at his own expense. Though required by the dignity of his position to present a certain exterior to the world, on meeting him one was immediately struck by his eyes and expression, wise, sad, and self-mocking, as if to say: “I just did my job the best I could, yet I am, with an army of a million and a great nation to pay me respect. But I know the glory is fleeting, I refuse to take all this seriously."

 

General Vaidya and Blue Star

 

 

 

 

Text Box: General Arun. S. Vaidya v.1.0 February 15, 2005   Ravi Rikhye       General Vaidya, 15th Chief of Army Staff and seventh post-independence commander of 9 (Deccan) Horse, commanded his regiment in the Battle of Asul Uttar, 1965, and led 2nd (Independent) Armored Brigade in the Battle of Shakergarh, in 1971.   As COAS 1983-1986 he oversaw Operation Blue Star, the necessary but controversial and bloody attack on the Golden Temple, 1984. This holy site is to the Sikhs what the Vatican is to Catholics. It had been taken over by terrorists seeking independence for Indian Punjab.   The storming of the Golden Temple was the cause of his eventual death. He was assassinated by two Sikh extremists shortly after his retirement.   General Vaidya was a man of great modesty, quiet charm, and an ironic sense of humor, often in play at his own expense. Though required by the dignity of his position to present a certain exterior to the world, on meeting him one was immediately struck by his eyes and expression, wise, sad, and self-mocking, as if to say: “I just did my job the best I could, yet I am, with an army of a million and a great nation to pay me respect. But I know the glory is fleeting, I refuse to take all this seriously."