Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that personalities like the late Lieutenant General Srinivas Kumar Sinha continue to inspire the government’s clear and firm policy on issues related to India’s sovereignty, as the nation moves forward with renewed resolve on national security and territorial integrity.
In a video message delivered at a memorial lecture organised to mark the birth centenary of Lt Gen Sinha, the Defence Minister paid glowing tributes to the distinguished Army officer, diplomat and administrator, describing him as a soldier of exceptional intellect who always placed the nation above everything else. Lt Gen Sinha later served as India’s Ambassador to Nepal and as Governor of Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.
Recalling his illustrious military career, Singh said Lt Gen Sinha represented India in some of its most challenging moments. Born in 1926, he served on the Burma front during the Second World War and played a crucial role in coordinating the first airlift of Indian Army troops to Srinagar in 1947, when Pakistan-backed forces advanced towards Kashmir. The Defence Minister also lauded his professionalism and outstanding performance at both the Indian and British Staff Colleges, calling him a brave officer with rare intellectual depth.
Highlighting his contributions beyond the battlefield, Singh said Lt Gen Sinha worked tirelessly to modernise the Indian Army and strengthen its institutional framework during his tenures as Director of Military Intelligence, Adjutant General and in various command appointments. “His service to the nation did not end with his retirement from the Army,” the Minister said, noting that as Ambassador to Nepal he strengthened bilateral relations, and as Governor of Assam and Jammu & Kashmir he focused on security, stability and development. He urged citizens to draw inspiration from Lt Gen Sinha’s ideals if India is to become a secure, self-reliant and prosperous nation.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, in his address, described Lt Gen Sinha as a “soldier-statesman, scholar-warrior and a man of character.” Calling upon members of the Armed Forces to learn from his life across both military and civil spheres, the CDS emphasised the need to foster a culture where professional military education, debate and integrity are valued alongside gallantry.
“The senior leadership must build a culture where professional military education, debate and integrity are as valued as gallantry,” Gen Chauhan said, adding that middle-level officers must invest in intellectual growth as rigorously as physical training. He urged young officers to combine discipline with reflection and firmness with empathy, noting that courage lies not only in combat but also in moral clarity.
Referring to the evolving nature of warfare across cyber, space, information and cognitive domains, the CDS stressed the importance of developing soldier-scholars capable of critical thinking and analysis. He called upon soldiers to embody Lt Gen Sinha’s courage, intellectual curiosity and constitutional values, saying this would enable them not only to protect the nation’s borders but also to help shape India’s destiny.
The memorial lecture was attended by former Chiefs of the Army Staff Generals N. C. Vij, Deepak Kapoor and Dalbir Singh, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen P. P. Singh, along with around 300 serving and retired personnel and members of Lt Gen Sinha’s family.
