New Delhi: General Vishwa Nath Sharma was cremated with full military honours at Brar Square Crematorium in Delhi Cantonment on Saturday morning. The ceremony brought together senior serving officers, veterans and members of his family.
As previously reported by RNA Media, General Sharma passed away on Friday at his residence in Defence Colony in New Delhi, at the age of 96, following a military career that spanned four decades.
The chief of the army staff, General Dhiraj Seth, laid a wreath on behalf of all ranks of the Indian Army and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family. General VK Singh (retired), governor of Mizoram and a former chief of the army staff himself, also attended and laid a wreath.
The funeral drew senior military leaders from across the armed forces, reflecting the deep respect General Sharma commanded throughout his career. Among those present were the chief of the air staff, the chief of the naval staff, a former chief of defence staff, and former chiefs of the army staff. Serving and retired senior officers, veterans and members of his family were also present.
General Sharma served as the 14th chief of the army staff from 1988 to 1990. During his tenure, the army faced multiple security challenges, including the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka, counter-insurgency operations in Punjab and the emerging insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir. He was also the first president’s commissioned officer to rise to the post of army chief.
Tributes continued to pour in following his passing. The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, described him as a military leader of exceptional distinction, while veterans and former colleagues remembered him as a professional soldier and an inspiring commander.
With his cremation, the army bid farewell to one of the last senior commanders of a generation that shaped the force through decades of conflict, reform and modernisation. His legacy, both in uniform and through his humanitarian work after retirement, is expected to continue inspiring future generations of soldiers.