Coursemates, armed forces fondly remember Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas

The NDA was originally established as the Inter Services Wing (ISW) of the armed forces on January 1 in 1949 at Clement Town in Dehradun. It was later renamed as Joint Services Wing (JSW). While the first course had commenced in January 1949, the academy was shifted to the present Khadakwasla campus in Pune in 1954.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Air Chief Marshal Suri (90), said, “I and him (Admiral Ramdas) had both joined as naval cadets. His course cadet number was A-13 and mine was A-17. I would like to believe that we were both destined to be service chiefs, and that is why I changed over to the Air Force. In his passing, I have not just lost a dear friend but also a great human being I have known for close to 75 years. After two years of initial training, we moved out for our respective service-specific trainings. I am proud to say that during the tenure of us three coursemates as chiefs, the inter services cooperation was at its peak. I will forever cherish our friendship.”

General Rodrigues passed away in March 2022

Major General VK Madhok (retired), who is also from the first course of the JSW, “Ramu, as we coursemates fondly called Admiral Ramdas, was a brilliant cadet and a wonderful friend. Over these many years, we cherished this friendship.  He was awarded the Vir Chakra for the operation during the 1971 war and rose to become a respected military leader.  His passing is a big personal loss for me, for the armed forces fraternity and the country.”

A post on X from the Southern Command quoted Army Commander Lieutenant General AK Singh as saying, “Profound condolences on the sad demise of retired Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral L Ramdas in Secunderabad today. His distinguished career and professional excellence has left an indelible mark on the Armed Forces. His legacy will live on and forever sail in our hearts.”