The 100th Birthday of Raj Kumari Shrinagesh, wife of the third Chief of Army Staff, late Gen SM Shrinagesh was celebrated on Tuesday at Chandigarh. It was a momentous occasion for Shrinagesh and her entire family. For the Indian Army fraternity, which was also part of the event, it was an opportunity to strengthen its links with the family of one of its illustrious General.
lt Gen KJ Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, wished the grand woman a sound health and happy birthday on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh and presented a gift to her on his behalf. He and his wife Anita Singh also felicitated Rajkumari on her centenary birthday at her residence in Chandigarh.
lt Gen Om Prakash, Quarter Master General of Army and Colonel of the Kumaon Regiment and lt Gen Sl Narasimhan, Commandant, Army War College and Colonel of Madras Regiment were also present. In addition, a large number of other Army personnel and well-wishers also came to pay their respect.
True to the sobriquet “Wedded to the Army”, the grand old woman, who has an agile mind and very sharp memory recollected the time she spent in the Army. The sweet memories of all good and tough times came flooding to her mind and she felt very emotional on the love and care shown by everyone present for her Birthday. The woman was beaming with pride and as she said she still remains wedded to the Army.
Gen SM Shrinagesh was the Chief of the Army Staff from May 1955 to May 1957. After retirement he served as Governor of Assam twice, Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Governor of Mysore. He also served as Principal of Indian Administrative College at Hyderabad from 1957 to 1962. Commissioned in 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1923, he commanded 6/19th Hyderabad Regiment (now part of Kumaon Regiment). He passed away in 1977 and is survived by Raj Kumari Shrinagesh, three sons and two daughters.