Indian Railways names locomotive after Maj Gen (retd) Cyrus Pithawalla

Hyderabad: Indian Railways, Devlali, Bhusaval Division in Maharashtra, has honored two living legends by naming locomotives after them. The locomotives were named after Major General Cyrus Addie Pithawalla (retired) and Subedar Major Shivaji Krishna Ghadge (retired).

Lt. General Navneet Singh Sarna, Commandant, Regiment of Artillery, Nasik and Bhusaval’s Divisional Railway Manager Iti Pandey, flagged off the two locomotives. “The two warriors demonstrated extraordinary valor, leadership, and dedication in defending the Motherland,” Pandey said.

Celebrate India's military heroes

Major General Cyrus Addie Pithawalla was honored by the Railways, which dedicated a locomotive to commemorate his bravery and service. This initiative is part of the Railways’ efforts to recognize and celebrate the contributions of India’s military heroes.

Major General Cyrus Addie Pithawalla is a distinguished officer of the Indian Army, renowned for his exemplary courage and leadership. He has served in Secunderabad, too. Born on January 13, 1957, in Bengaluru, he was educated at the Air Force School, Delhi, and later attended Delhi University. He joined the Officers' Training Academy in Chennai after completing his degrees in commerce. In 1981, as a Second Lieutenant in the 17 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, for his valor during a high-risk counter-insurgency operation in Tekcham, Manipur. Despite being shot, he captured alive a top insurgent in Manipur. He is the first Ashoka Chakra awardee to attain the rank of Major General in the Indian Army. For this act of bravery, even after he retired from the Army, he is invited to and takes part every year in the Republic Day Parade, proudly wearing his uniform and medals in Delhi.

The Bhusaval Division of Indian Railways in Maharashtra has taken steps to honor such true warriors by dedicating locomotives to their bravery. The other locomotive was named after Subedar Major Shivaji Krishna Ghadge (Shaurya Chakra), who led a daring ambush, eliminating five terrorists in J&K.

This gesture by Indian Railways is a tribute to Major General Pithawalla’s remarkable service and the sacrifices made by countless soldiers to safeguard the nation. Pithawalla, delighted by the honour bestowed on him by this unique gesture of the Indian Railways, says, “I am especially delighted as my grandfather was in the Railways too.”

Republic Day Celebrations

Leading the country’s highest gallantry award winners at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi on January 26 every year is Maj Gen Cyrus Pithawalla, now retired. Asked why he is still called upon to participate in the parade every year, Pithawalla explains, "Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and Ashok Chakra awardees are invited to participate in all Republic Day parades as these are the highest awards for gallantry (PVC in wartime and AC in situations other than war). I received the Ashok Chakra on Rajpath (now renamed Kartavya Path) at the Republic Day parade of 1982. I have been attending the Republic Day parade every year since then, except when I was operationally committed or undertaking the Defence Staff College course or posted on foreign assignments. But the most memorable occasion and an honor for my battalion was in 1982 when I received the award. These awards are for life.”

Courage Unleashed

A graphic booklet, Warrior, Courage Unleashed, was also published by the Ministry of Defence in honor of Pithawalla’s exceptional leadership and courage."There are no runners-up in war or operations. In the army we are not expected to fail in the task assigned to us, and this is in itself a challenge,” comments Maj Gen Cyrus Addie Pithawalla who was posted as General Officer Commanding at the Andhra Sub Area, Secunderabadsome years ago.

Counter Terrorist Operations

Highly experienced, Pithawalla has been active in counter terrorist operations both in the eastern and northern sectors. In 1982, when he was deployed in Manipur, he was tasked to lead a Company column in a raid operation on a camp of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA). As a result of meticulous planning and bold execution, the officer led one of the most successful counter-insurgency operations wherein they eliminated seven hardcore insurgents and captured two insurgents alive, including the chief of the PLA. In this operation, Pithawalla was seriously injured by a bullet in his right shoulder, which ultimately earned him the Ashok Chakra.

Early Years

Born on January 13, 1957 and commissioned into the Indian Army in 1979 after passing out from the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Madras, Pithawalla has held various prestigious instructional, staff and command appointments in his illustrious career and has had varied foreign exposures including tenures as Military Observer in the UN Mission at Cambodia and Deputy Commander of an Infantry Brigade Group in the UN Mission at the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"I enjoyed field postings and adventure but took many risks in operations. I enjoyed that,” says the senior officer. "I always believed in God and Sai Baba. He protected me through the mine fields and all obstacles. In operations, I was always leading my troops right ahead, unmindful of the consequences. As a Battalion Commander and Brigade Commander in the Valley in counter terrorist operations, I was in places where I should not have been. I forget my safety once an encounter starts.”

Although his father was from Navsari and his mother from Bangalore, this army officer grew up in Delhi. He was a student of the Air Force Central School, He completed his BCom from the Delhi University. He says, "I then joined Union Bank as a clerk. I just could not adjust to the type of work and routine. I set my eyes on the army, so I joined the Officers' Training Academy. I excelled in training and was commissioned as an officer, opted for Infantry, and got Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. I was always a fun-loving officer,” says the major general, who is an MCom, MSc in Defence Studies, and MPhil in Defence Management.

A Parsi

A proud Parsi, Pithawalla says, “I like our culture and way of life, but it is more important to be a good human being with a sound character.”He enjoyed their stay in Hyderabad, the City of Pearls, and he feels it is "a good place, with excellent food and weather and very affectionate people.”

After retirement from the army, Pithawalla and his wife Farida have settled down in Deolali, near Nashik in Maharashtra. He says, “I had joined the army not as a profession but as a way of life. I enjoy every day and moment of it.”Pithawalla retired in 2015, having completed 36 years of service. After retirement, he joined the Leslie Sawhny Training Centre at Deolali as its director. Col. Sawhny was married to J. R. D. Tata’s sister, Rodabeh. The Centre is a public charitable trust with its objects being the promotion of education and health care. We have three verticals — educational workshops, online programs, and skill training. A lot of good work is being done for underprivileged women and youth from the backward areas in building up their capabilities.