Chandimandir: Former Indian Army vice-chief Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, who lost a leg in the 1965 war but rose to become one of the Army's senior-most officers and later dedicated his life to the welfare of disabled soldiers, was remembered on Monday as a man whose courage and commitment extended far beyond the battlefield.
Lt Gen Oberoi, who passed away in Panchkula on June 14, was cremated at the Sector 25 cremation ground in the presence of senior serving and retired military officers, family members and veterans. Around 250 people attended the funeral.
Former Army chief recalls association
Former Army chief Gen V P Malik, who knew Oberoi from their National Defence Academy days, recalled a nearly four-decade-long association with him.
"Despite being a battle casualty and losing a leg, he climbed the ladder through sheer determination and professional excellence. He inspired generations of soldiers," Gen Malik said.
Overcoming disability
Severely wounded during the 1965 Indo-Pak war in Jammu and Kashmir, Oberoi overcame the disability and went on to serve as director general of military operations, Army Training Command chief, Western Command army commander and eventually vice chief of army staff before retiring in 2001.
After retirement, he devoted himself to the welfare of battle casualties as president of the War Wounded Foundation, working to change public perceptions about disability.
Maj D P Singh, India's first blade runner and a war veteran, said Oberoi believed battle casualties should be recognised for their abilities rather than their injuries.
"After losing his leg, he was determined to prove that whether you have a handicap or not, you are as capable as anyone else," he said.
Tributes from fellow officers
Gen S P S Vains described Oberoi as "an upright soldier" who continued fighting for the rights of battle casualties until the end.
His daughter, Rashmi Oberoi, said integrity, compassion and respect for all faiths guided both his personal life and leadership.
For many veterans who gathered to bid farewell, Oberoi's greatest legacy was not the rank he attained but the example he set.
"He showed an entire generation that disability does not define a soldier. Courage, character and service do," said a veteran attending the cremation.
