Amidst the tribulation and anarchy of war, the Former Vice – Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army Lt General Vijay Oberoi could always be counted upon to stand his ground and serve as a guiding light, bright and bountiful, in times of anguish. Lt General Oberoi, in his 40 years of distinguished service dedicated to his motherland, has commanded countless operations with spectacular valour and unparalleled courage, rising to the occasion every single time, with renewed vigour. In the course of his life as a military man, he has held many prestigious positions. He was the Army Commander of two commands – the Training Command as well as the Western Command. Earlier, he had held a diplomatic assignment at Kuala Lumpur.
Lt Oberoi lost his right leg in the Indo – Pak War in 1965, but he chose to soldier – on in his regiment – the Maratha Light Infantry. Such was his dedication that the loss of a limb didn’t deter him one bit. He pledged his allegiance to the country once, and he hasn’t cringed away from it once.
Lt General Oberoi fought various battles in formidable terrains with razor sharp threats lurking at every corner, the lonely nature of his expeditions being his only solace in times of contemplation. He fought valiantly without any regard for his limbs or his life, and was more than just a colleague to his army-mates. He was a comrade in times of need, a pacifier to ease their worries and apprehensions, a leader in times of need, yet very gentle, very righteous. He was a caretaker for our country, and a very good one at that, with his consummate bravery, he refused to comprise on integrity. He was condemned to a career of pain, but his mind dominated his emotions, and he came out a noble soul.
After retiring, General Oberoi has taken an avid interest in writing, especially blogging. His concern for the welfare of the army is more than apparent in his writing, with special mention to his deep anxiety at the crossroads between politics, government and the military forces. He has been working on rehabilitation of war affected victims, on giving them a second chance at life. Inspite of not physically being present on the battlefield, he enthuses young soldiers with his vibrant aura, and actively propagates the welfare of the army, directly as well as indirectly.
A recipient of all three Distinguished Service awards, Gen Oberoi is now engaged in intellectual pursuits and social work. He is the Director of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), a ‘Think Tank’ based at New Delhi . Lt. Gen (Retd.) Vijay Oberoi , former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), is currently President, of the War Wounded Foundation, Delhi. His love for the army transcends comprehension for an average Indian, but it is people like him who assure us a good nights’ sleep at night. The pages in his life may be frayed and tattered, but they are vivacious and pulsating nevertheless.