Preamble

This is a brief story of the life and times of Lt Gen (Retd) C Sundara Rao, PVSM. He retired as the DEME in 1973. To the lay reader, it may seem that he was extra-ordinarily lucky. He was fortunate to be commissioned when the war was on; blessed to be in the EME when the British officers were leaving, and with that stroke of luck, he was sucked up to the highest level of the hierarchy at an incredibly young age. He was Commandant of a Base Workshop at the age of 37;  Commander Technical Group (Maj Gen) at the age of 45 and became the Head of the Service at 48. These figures are beyond the wildest dreams of the officers in service today.

But was it the good fortune alone which propelled his career?My experience has shown that in all success stories, destiny is only one part of the tale. The path to success is more like climbing a stair way: and not at all like getting into an elevator. What Gen Rao did and achieve after his retirement is a testimony of the metal he is made of. He learnt to use  computers at the age of 88, and the mails which he sends can put a man twenty years younger than him to shame. His memory is sharp as a razor, and he has retained his ’trade-mark’ sense of humor to preserve his emotional equilibrium. The story given below has been keyed in by the general himself, but since it is now meant to be read by younger people, we requested Nithya and Lakshmi Subramanian to tinker with the words, a bit.   …Editor

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Gen SUNDARA RAO’s STORY: IN HIS OWN WORDS

At the outset I wish to state that God has been kind to me all the time.

Young Entrant, Ready for the Call.

Since I began my career when the Second World War was in its most intense phase, I could understand the significance and importance of patriotism in a very good way.

Permit me to begin this story from April 1942.  I had just completed my 3^rd year in Mechanical Engineering at the College of Guindy, Madras.  During my final year in the college, a team of Army Officers came to our college and gave inspiring speeches on the importance of soldiering. After motivating us, they interviewed about 100 of us who had volunteered to join the Armed Forces. They were tasked to select Ordnance Mechanical Engineers (OMEs). We were told that we would be granted commission with just one year of combined military and technical training.  15 of us were lucky to be chosen, and were sent to OTS in Mhow for 6 months military training.

The Gentleman Cadet standing at the extreme right in the middle row is C Sundara Rao 

 In Aug 1943, the GHQ decided that our military training period should be reduced and we were sent to the Base Workshop, Quetta (now in Pakistan) for technical training. Consequently, I was commissioned on 15^th August 1943!  From here on, it was a real roller coaster journey. During the next few years, I saw the length and breadth of this country.  Before one could understand the geography and get acclimatized to the weather, leave alone getting to know the men and colleagues, I was moved out.

Lt C Sundara Rao 

Life  moved at a very swift pace after that hurried commissioning. I began my military service at  IEME Training & Raising Centre at Sargodha and the Base Workshop, Rawalpindi (both in present Pakistan) I underwent technical training on anti-aircraft Armaments as well as AFVs and Jungle Warfare training at Chindwara (Madhya Pradesh), and then posted to Station Workshop, Dimapur (Manipur Road), as a Captain. During this time, another Station Workshop was merged with ours to become 138 Mobile Workshop Company. While I was there, I had to sail with the unit from Chittagong (now in Bangladesh) for Malaysia. While we were on high seas two atom bombs were dropped on Japan, and therefore, our ship was diverted to Rangoon, Burma (now in Myanmar). After a few months, I was posted as OC Recovery Company. In Aug 1946, I sailed back to India to disband the unit at   IEME Training & Disbanding Centre, Shajahanpur (UP). Thereafter, I was again posted to 2 Airborne Division, Malir Cantt (now in Pakistan).  The whole formation was shifted to Quetta (now in Pakistan).

I took over as second-in-command to CIEME as a Major. At this stage in my life, India saw the Partition of the country. Pakistan was created, and my unit was moved in Oct 1947 to Clement Town, near Dehradun. Thereafter, Lt Col Thadani, my CIEME, was posted to JAK Force, Jammu. We parted and  a few weeks later, Capt Raghunath and I were posted to HQ DEP Command. But the things were again moving very fast.  I would not believe it, but very soon I was to be again with my CO.  Happily, I went by road with the complete 84 Infantry Wksp Coy, and reached Jammu on the Xmas eve in 1947. I became a member of the Officers’ Mess of 83 Inf wksp Coy, commanded by Maj Menon. The unit was located close to the Jammu Airport.

On a semi- starvation diet!

Food supply arrangements were poorly organized. Our regular menu for breakfast was puri with potato curry, for lunch rice and potato curry and for dinner, chapatti with mashed or boiled  potatoes. I jumped at the first opportunity to go to Akhnoor on the orders of CIEME to work out the feasibility of lighting up the pillars supporting the bridge across the river. When the CIEME enquired why I was so keen to go there, I informed him that I could possibly purchase some eggs for our Mess!

I was moved out again. This time, within a couple of months, I joined DEP Command, New Delhi. In Mar 1948, I was nominated to attend the First Staff College Course starting at Wellington, in Apr 1948. After the course, I went as OC 2 Para Field Wksp Coy Naushera in J &K. My unit was in support of an Infantry Brigade, which had seven infantry battalions under command in an operation to link up and relieve the Poonch Garrison. With the support of my diligent officers and men, we successfully completed the task. By the end of nine months, in Dec 1948, I was posted as GSO2, Directorate of Technical Training in the Military Training Dte, Army HQ, at New Delhi. This was a newly formed Dte and was involved in tasking all training matters of the Corps of Engineers, Signals, and AOC / EME from their parent Dtes.

My Good Fortune

At that time, graduate engineers were granted 2 years and 3 months ante date on their date of commission. This was denied to me, as I was below 21 years of age on 15 Aug 1943. In fact, my seniority was accepted only from 29 Aug 1943, my birthday. I put up a representation regarding this and the entire Army Instruction was revised. According to the revised rules,the ante date was reduced to two years and my seniority date was fixed as 29 Aug 1941. Was I not lucky? This happened when I was in Army HQ New Delhi.

I was posted as OC 119 Field Wksp Coy, Jullundur, in support of 11 Inf Bde, part of 4 Inf Div .in 1950. Within a year, I was posted as OC 601 Combined Wksp, Pathankot in the rank of Lt Col. Soon I had to reorganize that unit as Stn Wksp, Pathankot. By mid 1951, I went sent as ADEME (Ops & Trg) at EME Dte, Army HQ.

One of the most interesting cases, I dealt with was regarding the establishment of an independent EME Inspectorate. Brig Reeve, the DEME, was very keen to obtain approval of this proposal. It was approved by all concerned but was turned down by the Dy Defense Minister on grounds of financial restraints. I then suggested that the case  be re-floated with the proposal to establish this Inspectorate in three phases to get acceptance. The first phase was to have the inspection of Small Arms with the existing Assistant Inspectors of Small Arms (AIAs), headed by a Colonel and this post would be taken over by the Inspector EME already working  in the EME Dte. This revised proposal was approved by all concerned and the DEME was very happy.

In 1954, the so called Jeep Scandal erupted in Parliament. When the Govt accepted to post an Army Officer in London to deal with purchases for our Defense Ministry, DEME proposed the name of Lt Col Pendse but before it was finalized the officer suffered a heart attack. DEME then put up the name of another officer but this was turned down by the Dy defense Minister. Eventually, I was selected to go to London.  So, In Jan 1955, I sailed from Bombay to London with my wife and two young sons. I was the Chief Mech Engr at the India Stores Dept, part of the High Commission of India. It was a smooth and definitely one long stay in my career till then.  By Aug 1958, it was time to sail back to India.

Lt Col C Sundara Rao in London 

 I joined as ADEME XV Corps in J&K. In mid 1959, I was Comdt 512 Army Base Wksp; Kirkee in the rank of Col. This tenure was highly interesting and motivating giving me ample scope to try out and implement many new ideas. In Sep 1962, I was appointed Dy DEME at Army HQ in the rank of Brig. I was nominated to attend the 6th course at the National Defence College, New Delhi in Jan 1966.

I took over as Dy Comdr & Chief Production Engr at HQ Technical Group EME in Jan 1967 and very soon Maj Gen and Commander.  Here, I established a Tool Library. My Chief Engrs requested me to sanction purchase of more EMER binders. Since this may not be a long term feasible process, I directed them to review all EMERs issued since 1943 in 5 year lots. Next target was to fix the maximum value of spares recommended in Base Wksp Scales as a fixed percentage of the value of the equipment. When my Chief Armament Engr put up a proposal for Base Repair Scales for an Artillery Ammunition Trailer, I found the value of spares recommended exceeded the laid down guidelines.  While I agreed that 100 % needed replacement, Webbing Straps had not been recommended. A discussion with the General Manager ordnance Factory, Jubbulpur   resulted in huge savings.

Being received by Brig (later Lt Gen) HS Banga at the Corps Mess in Secunderabad 

In Oct 1970, I assumed the appointment of DEME (now DGEME).During the 1971 war I toured the field units extensively, and saw the liberation of East Pakistan. I was awarded PVSM in recognition of my work. After a 30 year long, passionate and a eventful career, I hung up my uniform in 1973.

Presenting a memento to Field Marshal SAM Manekshaw. This lamp designed by 509 Army Base Workshop, Agra Cantonment has the formation sign of each of the Formations commanded by the legendary soldier.  

 My Second Career

As Managing Director, Bharat Heavy Plate & Vessels Ltd, Visakhapatnam I settled down in a place for three years together in one place, . The next 3 1/2 years provided me great opportunity to introduce many innovative and money saving ideas.

Since I was so used to movement, I left the above job, and joined Enfield India Ltd, Madras in 1977 as Executive Director, BULLET Motorcycle manufacturing division of the company then as the Executive Director (Planning & Development) at their corporate office.

Machines fascinated me. A bike aluminum crankcase was a gravity die cast component which was heavy and required a lot of machining. I helped in developing a pressure die cast replacement which was much lighter and required less machining Understanding the user difficulty on the centre stand of the bike, I ensured that there is a small lever which could be pulled to make the stand easy without having to lift the weight of the vehicle. I had an Electric Hoist installed with a flat platform to hold two bikes saving labor and cost. I installed Slotted Angle Racks with shelves at various heights to store the components to house all the components in one store reducing space. I developed a Grinding Machine to grind three different diameter parts of the crankshaft in one setting. This speeded up production and had more accuracy in the finished component. I brought in a honing machine that honed the inside of the front Forks to a much better finish. With this rich experience, I joined as Adviser in Brooke Bond India for their automobile division.

In 1987, at the age of 65, I shifted gear by changing track again! I was the Adviser to Enfield Agro Base Ltd, working for agricultural products and importing foreign expertise into our country. Finally in 2002, I retired from active life. I now live a happy and contended life, watching TV and playing around with the computer.

 

 The story of how I became a paratrooper

Having returned to India from Burma I was disbanding my unit at Shahjahanpur (UP) in 1947 at the IEME Trg & Disbanding Center. One evening in the Officers’ Mess I met Col Worthington (later DEME) who asked me where I wished to be posted after disbanding my unit. I told him that I wished to be posted to a field unit. When he suggested a posting to 2 Airborne Div, I said OK. When I reported there to Maj Wonaham, offg ADEME he told me that as I had volunteered to become a paratrooper, I was posted to AB Div at Mali Cantt, outside Karachi (now in Pak). There was a young, fair looking officer standing close to Maj Wonaham.  When I looked up I realized that he was a Lt Col. That is the first time I met Lt Col SP Vohra (later Maj Gen-DEME). That’s how I went to 2 AB Div and became a paratrooper.

Capt C Sundara Rao with his newly acquired Para Wing 

My first jump was exciting and exhilarating. Before I fully realized what was happening, I landed on the ground to do a back roll. One of my course mates was Maj Bhagawati Singh. At the end of the training he was posted as AQ 2 AB Div. Only then, I realized that he was IC 1, Maj Bhagawati Singh (later Maj Gen) and a course mate of FM Manekshaw.

A Word about the Editor

 The task of the editor is not as simple as it seems. In fact, in some ways, it is more tedious than writing!

The above piece has been edited by Nithya Subramaniam guided by her mother, Lakshmi. Nithya is a Graduate and Post Graduate from IIT Bombay. However, while she was in Powai in Mumbai, she realized that her first love is to play around with words. She has been bitten by the ‘writing bug’ and it is most unlikely that she will be able to settle down to a ‘ten to six’ routine in an executive chair. She is cut out for creative writing, and it is my belief that she will finally settle down in front of the computer! Given below is a recent picture of Nithya, and I beseech you to wish her Godspeed.

Nithya Subramanian