Aban Naidu, former Major General in the Indian Army, who set a record by leading the Republic Day parade four times in a row, breathed his last in Chennai on late Wednesday. He was 93. The Major General is survived by son Hari and daughters Viji and Vayu.
Naidu was a World War-II veteran who saw action in Burma under the command of General Mountbatten. He shot into national fame when he led the Republic Day parade from 1976 to 1979 in a row setting a record. “Our Republic Day parade is the most meticulous and colorful event power packed with precision and accuracy,” the major general had told our reporter in an interview some time back.
“It is months of preparations and planning which blossom out at Raj Path in New Delhi on every R-Day morning. You have to fine tune all troops and commanders to synchronise with the march. Remember, you are saluting the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces with all the might in his command. The whole world is watching ‘live’. Moreover, each Republic Day parade has the head of one of our friendly countries as the official guest,” he had explained about the thrill in leading the nation.
After retirement, Naidu was leading a peaceful life in Chennai suburb. He actively participated in a lot of charity works, especially for the upliftment of people from slum dwellings in the city. Officers and soldiers from various units of the Southern Army Command paid their last respects to the war veteran who has been decorated with PVSM and AVSM. General Naidu was laid to rest on Friday.