Originally posted on 16 Jan 2012 :
The first phone call this morning, (16 Jan 2012) was from Maj Gen Subramanian (Subi) and he informed me of the sad demise of Lt Gen HS Banga. The name inspires awe in the minds of his countless admirers. I have known him ever since I joined the army, fifty years ago. He was on the staff of EME School, when we went there as Young Officers. I am tempted to write a few words about this grand old soldier-engineer. This piece is from my memory and without referring to any document. If there are any errors or omissions in this, I would like to be corrected.
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh Banga, PVSM VSM (1924-2012)
They say, that “it is easy to climb to the top of a ladder, but difficult to stay there”. This is an account of a person who was began his military life as the course topper in the First Technical Graduates course in 1948, and retain that place all through his service, both in war and peace. For his distinguished service in the Armoured Division during the 1965 war, he was awarded a VSM. He also participated in the 1971 war in the Eastern Sector, and his services were considered commendable by all his comrades.
After retiring from the army as the DGEME in 1982, he joined Ashok Leyland and he served as a Plant Director, first in Alawar (Rajasthan) and then in Hosur (Tamil Nadu). After about seven years in Leyland, he could very well afford to revert to a life of Golf and ‘chhota peg’ but there was still a lot of fire in his belly. The Hindujas motivated him to head their hospital in Mumbai, and he became the first non-medico to be the CEO of the Hinduja Hospital. During his decade long stint with the hospital, he acquired so much knowledge of the medical science, that he was often invited to preside over their seminars and discussions. He finally threw in his towel in 1998, when he was just a few months shy of his 75 th birthday. He had, by then, completed more than fifty years of active service in a variety of organizations.
Son of an eminent doctor, Gen Banga passed on the family tradition of excellence to his two illustrious sons, Manvinder (Vindi) and Ajaypal. The elder son, Manvinder won the gold medal in IIT Delhi in 1973, and repeated the enviable feat in IIM Ahmedabad. He then joined Hindustan Lever and rose to become the CEO of the company. Vindi ended up as the Chairman of the parent company, Unilever in the UK. Gen Banga’s younger son, Ajaypal is a graduate from the Delhi University and an MBA from IIM Ahemedabad. Ajay has risen to head the Mastercard as the President and CEO in the USA. Both the brothers find a place of honor in the Wikipedia.
Gen Banga travelled to all corners of the world. He had seen the corporate world from close proximity, and saw his sons rise to enviable levels in Industry. And yet, when we asked him as to what he would like to do if he were to start his life all over again, he said, “I would like to join the army!” He faded away with no regrets in life. What he has left behind is a legacy which should inspire the likes of me and you.
I owe a personal debt of gratitude to Gen Banga. When I retired from the Army in 1997, Ashok Leyland accepted me with open arms, mainly because of his spoken reputation. Nearly every one in the company held him in high esteem, and that made it easier for me to find my feet in the corporate world. A similarity in external appearance was also of great help!
May the soul of this grand icon of the Indian army rest in peace, and may his kith and kin follow in his footsteps. I salute him as my teacher and mentor.
Lt Gen (Retd) Harbhajan Singh Banga, PVSM, VSM (Born – 24 Sep 1924 , Died – 22 Dec 2011) It is a sad news for all of us in olive green that we have lost one more of that rare breed of Gentlemen-Soldiers.
Gen Banga came from an illustrious family. His father, Dr Gyan Singh was an eminent doctor. Following in the foot steps of his elders, Gen Offr excelled in both professional and academics front. He began his military life as the course topper in the First Technical Graduates course in Dec 1948. During his career spanning more than four decades, he attended most of the prestigious courses. He firstly attended the course in UK when he was Capt in 1959. As a Maj and Lt Col he was posted to 512 ABW, where the technical acumen of Gen Offr was appreciated by one and all. For his distinguished services in the Armoured Division during the 1965 war, he was awarded Visisht Seva Medal. In 1970 he served as Dy DEME as Brig and subsequently participated in 1971 war in the Eastern Sector. The Gen Offr was the Director General of Corps of EME from Mar 1978 to Mar 1982, when he was decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
After retiring from the Army in 1982, he joined Ashok Leyland and served for about seven years as Plant Director first in Alwar (Rajasthan) and then in Hosur (Tamil Nadu). Thereafter, the Gen Offr was head of the administration of Hindujas hospital in Mumbai and became the first non-medico to be the CEO. During his decade long service with the hospital, he acquired so much knowledge of the medical science, that he was often invited to preside over seminars and discussions. Gen Banga was the epitome of professionalism , both while in service and in the industry.
Gen Banga is survived by his wife Mrs Jaswant Banga, their two sons Manvinder and Ajaypal and their daughter Deepa. Manvinder, known as ‘Vindi Banga’ is a god medallist from IIT Delhi and a topper from IIM Ahmedabad. He rose to be the Chairman of Unilever. Ajaypal is a graduate from St Stephens, Delhi and topped the class in IIM Ahmedabad. He is an internationally recognised speaker.
The General Officer enjoyed an illustrious career even after leaving uniform. His memory will be cherished by the EME fraternity.
| Messages Received from Eminent Personalities * Lt Gen (Retd) C Sundara Rao, PVSM, Ex DGEMEI first met Capt Banga when he returned after attending a course in the UK. Later in 1959/60, when I was Comdt 512ABW he joined me as a Major & then picked up the rank of Lt Col. In 1970/71 when I was the DEME he joined me as Dy DEME in the rank of Brig. He was my successor’s successor as DEME. Please convey our condolences to his wife Jaswant Ji and his sons and daughter.* Maj Gen (Retd) Gurdayal SinghHis admirers are innumerable in numbers. May his soul rest in Peace. He indeed was a Great Role Model for EME officers.* Mr Srikant Srinivasan, Corporate HR, Ashok Leyland LtdGen Banga was the epitome of professionalism both while in OG and in civvy street. I have very pleasant memories of the time I worked under him at Hosur. He seamlessly fitted into the Corporate world and by his qualities of mind & heart endeared himself to many of us at Ashok Leyaland. Even as I write this, I can sense his towering presence, quiet demeanor, careful and attentive listening, the dignity and concern that he showed to everyone from the GM to the junior-most operator. |