Former Indian Navy Chief, Peace Crusader Admiral L Ramdas Passes Away at 91

New Delhi: Former Indian Navy Chief and a passionate social and peace activist, Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas, 91, passed away on Friday at the Military Hospital in Secunderabad. He is survived by his wife and fellow crusader Lalita (Lolly) Ramdas, and three daughters. He is reported to have succumbed to old age-related ailments.

Admiral Ramdas had played a stellar role during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, and till his last breath was dedicated to the cause of peace, justice and human rights, be it nuclear disarmament or communal harmony in the country.

Born in 1932, Admiral Ramdas served in the Indian Navy for 40 years after receiving his commission in 1953.

Admiral Ramdas was a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of his outstanding service.

Read Also: From a Former Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Ramdas to Rahul Gandhi

Admiral Ramdas was recently in the news when he backed Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and before it began, wrote an open letter to the Congress leader, expressing his views on the current state of politics the country:

“…I vividly recall every word of the Tryst with Destiny speech made by your great grandfather on that midnight of 14/15th August 1947. I was fourteen and with fire in my belly, and joined the newly independent armed forces, determined to serve and protect our hard won democracy and freedom – with ‘fraternity’ being the defining vision of the new India.

Alas, much water has flown down the Ganga since then and today we find ourselves struggling to reclaim our democracy in an increasingly polarized scenario.

The current initiative of the Bharat Jodo Yatra is very timely and much needed. Hopefully we will join hands across party affiliations and reach out with the all-important message of saying NO to hate and YES to love and peace and Fraternity.

Had I been younger and fitter, I would have walked beside you and persuaded many others of the veterans’ community to do likewise. Alas my health does not permit, so will have to be content by following you from afar....”

Admiral Ramdas was also among 140 armed forces veterans who had expressed grave concern over the developments in Galwan Valley in East Ladakh in 2020 leading to the loss of 20 Indian jawans, and had appealed to the President, Prime Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff seeking immediate revamp of the intelligence system and looking for “non-military political solutions for both external and internal security” in the larger national interest.