Former Army Vice Chief Lt Gen S Pattabhiraman passes away at 78

Lt Gen S Pattabhiraman, former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command and later Vice Chief of the Army Staff, passed away at the age of 78. A distinguished sapper officer, he served as Colonel Commandant of Bombay Sappers and retired in December 2006 after a remarkable 40-year career.

During his tenure, he held key appointments, including Defence Attaché to Ankara, Turkey, and the first Director General of Information Systems of the Indian Army. As Vice Chief, he played a crucial role in ensuring operational preparedness and conceptualising the Army’s vision for the decade ahead.

In collaboration with Management Development Institute in Gurgaon, he facilitated a week-long course for senior officers transitioning to the corporate world as independent directors. Lt Gen Pattabhiraman also served as Colonel Commandant of Bombay Engineering Group and Centre in Pune for three years.

After his retirement, he served as an administrative member of the Armed Forces Tribunal. Colleagues and officers who worked with him remember Lt Gen Pattabhiraman as a thorough professional, humble, warm-hearted, and down-to-earth individual who was amiable and approachable in all matters.