PIPFPD mourns his passing away, recalls his unforgettable contribution in building support for peace across the borders
NEW DELHI: It was a rare blend of full Navy honours and revolutionary slogans at the final rites of Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas, who passed away on March 15 after a brief illness, at the age of 90. A perfect tribute to an extraordinary man who not only had a distinguished career in the Navy but dedicated his life to causes of social justice and peace, after his retirement.
Admiral Ramdas was the former Chief of the Naval Staff (1990-1993) and a meritorious officer decorated with PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM.
As an activist, he participated in and led several movements for peace, justice and communal harmony, which he continued to be involved with till his very end. Popularly known as Ramu or Ramu Da within the activist circles, he was a champion of India-Pakistan peace. He is particularly renowned for his role as a leader of the Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy and for building a strong constituency of peace on both sides of the borders.
His efforts were internationally recognised and he shared the Ramon Magasaysay award with his Pakistani counterpart, I.A. Rehman in 2004.
He is survived by his wife, Lalita Ramdas alias Lolly, who was his comrade in his activism, and his three daughters – Kavita, Sagari and Mallika – , their spouses, and three grandchildren.
His funeral rites in Secunderabad were a recognition of his life of multiple achievements as a military leader and a peace activist. While Naval officials honoured Admiral Ramdas with the ceremonial three-volley salute, his activist friends rent the air with ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ and ‘Laal Salaam’.
Multi-religious prayers were also recited before he was given a final adieu.
His wife Lalita Ramdas, who stood resolute through the ceremony, had earlier sent a message to all his comrade, saying it was not the time to mourn but to celebrate his life. Her message said, “We want all our friends to know that we are not mourning Ramu’s demise; we are celebrating his life and spirit. We want all our friends and comrades to celebrate ‘him’ with us; celebrate his indomitable spirit that refused to be cowed down by the mighty and the authoritarians! Ramu will continue to be with us in our peaceful struggles for secularism, peace, rights, justice and human dignity! As passionately as always…”
Born on September 5, 1933 in Matunga, Bombay, he had his early education in Delhi at the Presentation Convent and Ramjas College. He joined the Joint Services Wing of the Armed Forces Academy, in Clement Town Dehradun in 1949 and subsequently commissioned in the Indian Navy in September 1953, and trained as a communications specialist.
The Admiral had a glorious career in the Indian Navy rising to the helm as its 13th CNS. During the Indo–Pakistan War of 1971, as part of the newly formed Eastern Fleet, whilst in command of INS Beas, Admiral Ramdas took part in the most effective naval blockade of East Pakistan which frustrated Pakistan’s attempt to evacuate 93,000 of their troops, who eventually surrendered to the Indian Forces.
After retirement, Admiral Ramdas settled in the village of Bhaimala, Alibag, Maharashtra. Admiral Ramdas and his wife Lalita Ramdas played a very active role in several peace movements including the Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, Indo-Pakistan Soldiers Initiative for Peace (IPSI), the anti-nuclear peace movement – Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP), supporting the struggle against an SEZ under the 22 Gaon Bachao Andolan in Raigad district, Maharashtra.
He fearlessly voiced his opinions about injustices against marginalised and minority communities and wrote several representations to the highest authorities, condemning the communalisation and polarisation being promoted, and urged them to uphold democracy and the secular fabric of India.
Since March 15, the social media is flooded with tributes for this man who touched many lives and inspired generations of peace activists.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to twitter to post his photograph with the Ramdas couple during his Bharat Jodo yatra last year, and described the Admiral as a man who has spent his lifetime in the service of the nation.
Pakistan India Peoples’ Forum for Peace & Democracy also paid homage to the life and spirit of Laxminarayan Ramdas.
A statement of the PIPFPD said, “His demise brings tears and desolation to all of our members in India and Pakistan, most of whom have had the opportunity to meet him and interact with the former chief of the Indian Navy on several occasions.”
The full text of the touching tribute:
“Ramu, as friends fondly called him, did not function individually. For all of us in the Forum and peace movement, Ramu & Lolly (Ms. Lalita Ramdas), came as a unit. Shadows of each other and complimenting intellectuals, they sang and danced with people to the songs of resistance, freedom and democracy. They came with no prejudice and it has been testified by the pouring in of homages from Balochistan to Kashmir, Dhaka to Ladakh and Jaffna to Nagaland.
Admiral Ramdas, the Chairperson Emeritus of PIPFPD, was one of the longest serving chairpersons of the Indian chapter of Forum (1997-2003) and saw its activities through the tumultuous times post the nuclearisation of South Asia, the ‘Kargil war’, Vajpayee-Sharif bonhomie as well as the Gujarat pogrom and the Parliament attack in the early 2000s. He was preceded by Late Shri. Nirmal Mukherjee and was succeeded by Late Shri Ashok Mitra, Shri Tapan Bose and Dr Syeda Hameed.
In his post-retirement life, Adm Ramdas was greatly impressed and influenced by ‘Didi’ Nirmala Deshpande, Kuldip Nayyar, Dr. Mubashir Hassan, B.M. Kutty, I. A. Rehman, Praful Bidwai, Parvez Hoodbhoy, Asma Jahangir, Gautam Navlakha, Karamat Ali, Achin Vanaik and many others.
He held the Forum’s positions like a badge of honour and was extremely principled about the organisation not sacrificing internal democratic principles.
‘Ramu Da’ would engage in long debates with his passionate contemporaries and juniors, especially regarding the position of the Forum on Jammu & Kashmir. Ramdas presided over the 3rd and 4th Joint Conventions of the Forum and national conventions during his term. Despite the official Indian government position, which he adhered to as a soldier and Naval chief, Ramdas took to the PIPFPD democracy and agreed to the Forum’s position that J&K is not a land dispute between India and Pakistan, but instead a historical battle for justice for the people of the divided region.
That the people of Jammu & Kashmir must have the primary stakes in deciding their future. The initiation of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of a Civil Society (JKCCS) surely had the solidarity of Adm Ramdas as Chairperson of Forum. He also never hesitated to issue statements and petitions demanding the end of political incarceration of the civil rights activists and journalists of Kashmir.
It was unbelievable for many people in the early years to see a war veteran take such staunch positions on peace, democracy and people’s rights, in the subcontinent. Ramu surprised many people by his adherence to the fundamentals of disarmament and de-nuclearisation in South Asia and the world. He passionately spoke on the issue of defence budgets of South Asia diminishing the allocations for universal education and public healthcare. He paid the price for such positions and earned the criticism of right-wing hate-mongers.
Lolly and Ramu actively participated in the human rights movement and extended solidarity to ecological rights, civil liberties and minority communities’ constitutional rights. One could find them standing in solidarity with the people of Bastar and Manipur, the struggles of Narmada and fish workers of India and Pakistan and see their active role in building an environment-friendly South Asia.
He also went on to be a founding member and leading voice of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP), the India Palestine Solidarity Forum as well as the Indo-Pak Soldiers Initiative for Peace (IPSI) and enthusiastically associated with newer platforms and initiatives for peace.
The Hind-Pak Dosti Manch, Aman Ki Asha, Aman Chaupaal, South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), Aaghaz-e-Dosti and the more recent coming together of South Asian peacemongers as South Asia Peace Action Network (SAPAN) and South Asian Solidarity Collective (SASC), all saw the active participation and blessings of Lolly and Ramu.
A passionate speaker, a calm and caring leader, a compassionate comrade and above all a beautiful human – in Ramu’s demise, we lose all this and more. At a time when India is headed for its next general elections when the people of Gaza are subjected to the worst forms of brutality and genocide, Ramu’s departure is greatly saddening. His physical participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra was a clear indication of his opposition to the majoritarian and authoritarian regime in the country – for a return to constitutional democracy and secularism.
Ramu will live in the hearts of every South Asian, who prioritise peace over ultra-nationalisms, war and hostilities. His ideas and spirit will live through the millions of people across the globe who want equality, justice and human rights to prevail over oppression, imperialism, exploitation and patriarchy! His charming smile, infectious determination and indomitable spirit will continue to inspire Indians and Pakistanis to work towards lasting peace and democracy in South Asia.
Rest in Peace and Power Admiral Ramdas. As we place your mortal remains to rest, the Forum re-commits itself to taking forward our collective dreams and commitment.
We join Lalita, their three daughters – Kavita, Sagari and Mallika, and the family of Ramu, in this moment of grief. We join the larger peace movement in celebrating the life and contributions of Admiral Ramdas to progressive politics.
Saathi tere sapnon ko manzil tak pahunchayenge!”
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