A Tribute to Lt Gen BS Dhaliwal: An Exclusive Excerpt from A General Called Tsunami

“Before I knew it, the day of my superannuation – 31 August 2007 arrived. That day I was extremely happy since I was fortunate to have had the proud privilege to be a military engineer and to rise to the highest rank of my chosen arm of service. It had been an incredible journey, on which I have had an opportunity to serve with honour, made innumerable friends, created wonderful memories, travelled across the length and breadth of our great country and visited many foreign lands while endeavouring to always accomplish any task and assignment given to me with conviction, confidence and commitment. It was a journey of teamwork with many joining hands with me to complete the task. I was blessed by the cooperation and support I received during my entire career from all Sappers, MES, GREF officers and PBOR and civilians who willingly put their shoulders to the wheel. I do not think I can ever repay them for keeping their faith in me.

To the lilt of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ I was pulled on a jeep for one last time. I had a lump in my throat and despite my resolve to not show any sentiments, my determination about which I have been always proud of, failed me for once and my eyes clouded over. Truthfully speaking, my innings in Olive Green had been so good that I could not have asked God for anything more.

In the end, I can only acknowledge the contribution of the remarkable soldiers who have moulded, mentored, befriended, influenced and commanded me to meet their expectations of my potential. I remain eternally grateful to them.

Old soldiers never die. They simply fade away! So ends a soldier's memoir. I hope that I have lived up to its title and accomplished the tasks, which came my way, to the best of my ability and shown the torch for others to carry forward.”

There is something profoundly moving about reading these words he wrote from his memoir, not knowing they would one day serve as his own farewell. He wrote of fading away, as old soldiers do. But Lt Gen BS Dhaliwal did not simply fade—he blazed for decades. He was, in the truest sense, a Tsunami—a true force of nature who knew what it meant to lead with conviction, confidence, and commitment.

To his family, to the Bengal Sappers, to every officer and soldier whose life he touched—Fauji Days salutes you.

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