The gallant general

"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 on January 13, 2013. His new portfolio involves "a wide charter and a number of responsibilities including the entire administration of troops in AP (Andhra Pradesh), welfare of all ex servicemen and families, preservation of all the army land holdings in the state and the operational work.”
He is one of the few army officers who has been awarded both the Ashok Chakra (for displaying outstanding gallantry of an exceptional order other than in the face of the enemy) and the Vishisht Seva Medal (distinguished service of an exceptional order to all ranks of the Indian armed forces). He says, "I am the only officer in our armed forces to have received the Ashok Chakra, the Vishist Seva Medal and to have reached the rank of a general.”

Above: Maj Gen Cyrus Pithawalla in uniform. Right: With wife Farida and grandson Aayan

Highly experienced, Pithawalla has been active in counter terrorist operations both in the eastern and northern sector. 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 injury in his right shoulder which ultimately earned him the Ashok Chakra.
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 at places where I should not have been. I forget my own safety once an encounter starts.”
Although his father was from Navsari and mother from Bangalore, this army officer grew up in Delhi. As a student of the Air Force Central School, "my focus was on athletics. I would practice long hours in the morning and evening. I was a Delhi-boys and All India Public Schools champ in 100m.” He completed his BCom from the Delhi University where too he was on the University team in 400m relay that came first.
"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 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.
Since the 24x7 duty can be taxing Pithawalla says he looks forward to going home "to be welcomed by one’s wife and be pampered. Now I have a pup named Max. He is very sensitive and understanding. All the tiredness wears off when he hears my voice and comes running to meet me.” He gives his wife Farida credit for bringing up their children, adding with a smile, "I have only spoilt them.” Their daughter Yasmin is married to Berjis Ginwalla at Vadodara. Son Shahrukh is doing MBA from IIT Powai.
Declaring himself "very proud” of being a Parsi, Pithawalla clarifies, "I like our culture and way of life. I feel that the Parsi community should open up. We are too conservative in our approach to religion. I do not know many prayers but I believe that prayers although short must be said with concentration. It is more important to be a good human being with a sound character. I have always helped a Parsi whenever and wherever I could. I admit I am parochial in this issue.” Enjoying their stay in Hyderabad, the City of Pearls, Pithawalla views it as "a good place, with excellent food and weather and very affectionate Parsis.”
After retirement Pithawalla plans to settle down in Deolali and catch up with his hobbies of reading, seeing movies and further improving his game of golf. Until then he is happy to attend to his duties for "I had joined the army not as a profession but as a way of life. I enjoy every day and moment of it. ”