Sunith Francis Rodrigues facts for kids

Quick facts for kids General Sunith Francis Rodrigues PVSM, VSM
26th Governor of Punjab and 13th Administrator of Chandigarh
In office 16 November 2004 – 22 January 2010
Appointed by	President of India (then, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam)
Chief Minister	Parkash Singh Badal
Preceded by	Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai (Additional Charge) Om Prakash Verma
Succeeded by	Shivraj Patil
32nd Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
In office 1 August 1991 – 30 June 1993
President	R. Venkataraman Shankar Dayal Sharma
Prime Minister	P. V. Narasimha Rao
Preceded by	Surinder Mehra
Succeeded by	Laxminarayan Ramdas
15th Chief of the Army Staff (India)
In office 1 July 1990 – 30 June 1993
President	R. Venkataraman Shankar Dayal Sharma
Prime Minister	V. P. Singh Chandra Shekhar P. V. Narasimha Rao
Preceded by	Vishwa Nath Sharma
Succeeded by	Bipin Chandra Joshi
Personal details
Born	(1933-09-19)19 September 1933 Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British Raj (now Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
Died	4 March 2022(2022-03-04) (aged 88) Panaji, Goa, India
Military service
Allegiance	India
Branch/service	Indian Army
Years of service	1952–1993
Rank	General
Unit	Regiment of Artillery
Commands	Western Army Central Army Director General Military Training (DGMT)
Battles/wars	Sino-Indian War of 1962 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Service number	IC-6119
Awards	Param Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal
Later work(s)	National Security Advisory Board Director of International Centre, Goa

General Sunith Francis Rodrigues (born September 19, 1933 – died March 4, 2022) was a brave Indian army officer. He served as the Chief of the Army Staff for the Indian Army from 1990 to 1993. Later, he became the Governor of Punjab from 2004 to 2010. He was honored with the PVSM and the VSM for his excellent service.

Early Life and Education

Sunith Francis Rodrigues was born in Bombay in 1933. He went to school at St. Xavier's High School, Fort in Bombay.

Military Career

Rodrigues began his military journey in 1949 at the Joint Services Wing of the Indian Military Academy. He officially joined the Regiment of Artillery on December 28, 1952. He worked with different artillery units.

In 1964, he became a pilot for the Artillery's Air Observation Post. He flew observation planes and helicopters for many hours. During the 1965 war, he flew 65 hours in combat. His unit helped guide artillery fire to hit enemy groups.

After attending the Defence Services Staff College, he worked at the XXXIII Corps Headquarters in 1971. In 1972, he received the VSM for his outstanding service after the war with Pakistan. From 1973 to 1975, he served as a GSO I operations officer for a division.

As a Brigadier, he led a mountain infantry brigade in a high-altitude area from 1975 to 1977. He also studied at the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom in 1978. From 1979 to 1981, he was a Chief Instructor at the Defence Services Staff College.

Becoming a General

Rodrigues was promoted to Major General and took charge of a division in a high-altitude region. In 1982, he earned a master's degree in Defence Studies. He then served as the Chief of Staff of a Corps from 1983 to 1985. After that, he became the Director General Military Training (DGMT).

After becoming a Lieutenant General, Rodrigues commanded a corps in the Northern Sector in 1986. He was the Vice Chief of Army Staff from 1987 to 1989. Then, he led the Central Command from April to October 1989.

From November 1989 to June 1990, he was in charge of the Western Command. Finally, he became the Chief of Army Staff from 1990 to 1993. He retired on June 30, 1993, after serving for almost 41 years.

Public Service and Governor Role

After retiring from the army, General Rodrigues continued to serve the public. He was the Director of the International Centre in Goa for nearly six years. He also served two terms on the National Security Advisory Board, which advises the government on security matters.

He was very interested in education and helping children reach their full potential. He was part of the Executive Council of Goa University for seven years. He also served on the Goa Planning Board and the Board of Governors of the Goa Institute of Management.

Leading Punjab

On November 8, 2004, Rodrigues was appointed as the Governor of Punjab. He also became the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. He officially took office on November 16, 2004.

He served in this important role until January 22, 2010, when Shivraj Patil took over.

Later Life and Passing

General Sunith Francis Rodrigues passed away on March 4, 2022, at Manipal Hospital in Dona Paula. He was 88 years old.

Images for kids

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  Ribbon for the Param Vishisht Seva Medal

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  Ribbon for the Vishisht Seva Medal

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  India General Service Medal 1947

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  Samar Seva Star Ribbon

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  Poorvi Star Ribbon

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  Paschimi Star Ribbon

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  Raksha Medal Ribbon

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  Sangram Medal Ribbon

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  Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon

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  High Altitude Medal Ribbon

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  25th Anniversary Independence Medal

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  30 Years Long Service Ribbon

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  20 Years Service Medal Ribbon

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  9 Years Service Medal Ribbon