General S F Rodrigues or Sunith Francis Rodrigues is the former Governor of Punjab. Rodrigues was sworn in to the office on November 16th, 2004 and was the 32nd Governor of the state. As the Governor of Punjab, General S F Rodrigues with his personality has managed to fetch the positive response from the people of Punjab. He has strongly campaigned for the interest of Punjab in India. His compatriots know him as a thinker and a strategist. Rodrigues had also served as the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian National Army.
Early Life of General S F Rodrigues
Sunith Francis Rodrigues was born on 19th September 1933 in Mumbai, in a Christian family. He completed his schooling from St. Xaviers High School, Mumbai.
Military Services of General S F Rodrigues
Rodrigues joined the Joint Services Wing of the Indian Military Academy in the year 1949. In December 1952, he was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery. S F Rodrigues was a scholar of the Defence Services Staff College who commanded a Mountain Artillery Regiment from 1970 to 1971. Rodrigues also served as a General Staff Officer for the period of the 1971 Indo-Pak War at a Corps HQ. Rodrigues was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for to his commendable service during the Indo-Pak War in the year 1972.
Later General S F Rodrigues has served as a GSOI operations of a division from 1973 to 1975. He commanded a mountain brigade in a high altitude sector during 1975 to 1977. He has also attended the course at Royal College of Defence Studies in UK in the 1978. From 1979 to November 1981, he served as the Chief Instructor at Defence Services Staff College. S F Rodrigues then took over the command of a division in a high altitude area. He was awarded the Master Degree in Defence Studies in the year 1982. After receiving the award he became the Chief of Staff of a Corps and held the post from 1983 to September 1985. He took over the Director General post of Military Training thereafter.
From November 1987 to April 1989, he has served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff and then from April 1989 to October 1989, served as the GOC-in-C of Central Command. Later he was appointed as the GOC-in-C Western Command and held the post from 01 November 1989 to 29 June 1990. From 1990 to 1993, he served, as the Chief of Army Staff. After putting in nearly 41 years of consecrated services, he retired on 30 June 1993. During his tenure, the Army started inducting women officers.
Other Services of General S F Rodrigues
After the retirement in Goa, Rodrigues has served the post of the Director of the International Centre for nearly 6 years. He served two terms for the National Security Advisory Board. He has also been engaged in social and literary pursuits. General S F Rodrigues has also delivered his speeches on tactical issues. Rodrigues also campaigns for education of the children. For 7 years, he held a position in the Executive Council of University of Goa and also in the Managing Committee of the Goa Chamber of Commerce. General S F Rodrigues is also a Member of the Goa Planning Board as well as the Board of Governors of the Goa Institute of Management.
General S F Rodrigues as Governor
Rodrigues was appointed the 32nd Governor of Punjab and also became Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, on November 8th 2004. Rodrigues was sworn in to the office on November 16th, 2004. His tenure ended in 2010. He was succeeded by Shivraj V Patil on 22 January 2010.
Personal Life of General S F Rodrigues
General S F Rodrigues is married to Jean Rodrigues and the couple has two sons and a daughter.
