Remembering Brigadier Gurdial Singh Sidhu, AVSM: Few Glimpses Brig M R Narayanan, VSM (retd.

) I had the privilege of serving under Brig Gurdial Singh Sidhu during the 1971 operations in the Eastern Sector when he was the CSO 4 Corps. I was then a major posted to 4 Corps Sig Regt. I distinctly recall the first meeting in his office in early Sep 1971 attended by all OsC of the integral Corps units and Comdrs Sigs of the Corps fmns.. The Corps HQ had moved just a week before to the op location in Tripura near Agartala. The signal comn infrastructure available was primitive and 4 Corps Signals had a huge task on hand. The meeting lasted for about an hour; it was all about the Corps operational plan and the signal comn build up and challenges. Brig Sidhu appeared to be cool and composed but towards the end he showed his no-nonsense attitude when he made it clear what he expected from each one of us:We are here to fight a War. I expect all of you to function as a team. I do not want any accusations or attempts to let down your sister units or your colleagues. Always remember that:i. Every communication channel has two ends. Neverever complain about the other end; instead take responsibility for the other end too; ii. If a formation is out of comn for more than 24 hrs, I want your best people at the other end . Little did I realize then the remarkable power behind this mantra, take responsibility for the other end implying give equal or greater importance to your lower formation end .

Very soon, Brig Sidhu s mantra percolated down to every signal officer in the entire Corps bringing about a great attitudinal change. Passing the blame to the other end (other-end-man-ship) at all levels practically disappeared. What more, there was this attitude of empathy i.e. going out of the way to attend to the comn needs of the lower formations by sharing essential signal resources and even sparing technical personnel. This helped to cement all the formation signal units under the Corps into a single integrated 4 Corps Signals Team . No wonder, under the dynamic leadership of Brig Sidhu, 4 Corps Signals acquitted itself most creditably by providing infallible comns leading to the operational success in the 1971 War. It is a pity that Brig Sidhu never got the recognition that he so richly deserved within the Corps. However his contribution to the success of 4 Corps operations leading to the liberation of Bangladesh was very well summed up by Lt Gen Sagat Singh, the GOC 4 Corps in his memorable Signals Anniversary Speech on 15 February 1972 soon after the 1971 War. I have given below a few extracts of that speech. Extracts from Corps of Signals Anniversary Speech by Lt Gen Sagat Singh, GOC IV Corps on 15 Feb72 Today is the Corps of Signals Day. I have conveyed my felicitations to all members of the Corps of Signals in IV Corps. But this celebration tonight, soon after our victory in Bangladesh, is of special significance. On this occasion, I feel obliged to acknowledge gratefully all that the Corps of Signals led by Brigadier Sidhu did for IV Corps during the operations. ... The Corps responsibility, lay from NORTH of SYLHET down to COX S BAZAR and the whole of MIZO HILLS; all of which I think is a great geographical mass. I couldn t have exercised my

operational command, had it not been for Brigadier SIDHU and his resources. He never failed me. He was entirely in my confidence I would tell him, GURDIAL this is what s in my mind, and he wouldn t ask me any questions at all He rose to every occasion-every demand; comn never- never failed. .. .. I don t think there is any parallel in History where a Corps Headquarters moved within enemy gun shells as we moved into COMILLA. And we couldn t possibly have moved there, unless Brigadier SIDHU and his Corps of Signals had ensured our comn. May I gratefully on behalf of the entire Corps, the fighting Corps, submit that we couldn t have achieved the success that we did, had it not been for Brigadier SIDHU, IV Corps Signal Regiment, B Corps Signal Regiment, N Comn Zone Signal Regiment. Frankly, I couldn t have achieved the success had it not been for their support and for their efficiency. I am most grateful. Thank you, Brigadier SIDHU .

(Brig M R Narayanan, VSM. Retired in Jul 1988 as DDG Plan AREN. Post retirement: Chairman CEL (Central Electronics Ltd.)