Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh “Tony” Lidder was much more than a soldier; he was a living-but-seemingly-mythical obelisk proof of honor, leadership, and dedication that will always remain unshaken. Leaving his friends and family at a very young age in the 2021 Indian Air Force helicopter crash, alongside General Bipin Rawat and other brave men, he epitomized the struggle undertaken by lives dedicated to India’s defense. His career path, beginning with intense training and moving into strategic assignments, had long-lasting implications for the Indian Army, and generations to come may still draw inspiration from him.
Being a child born into a military family meant that the propensity for military service was imbued in him quite early in life. Success in school at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mhow, allowed him entry into the National Defence Academy, which is one of the most prestigious in the country. He excelled in the NDA and, after that, on to the Indian Military Academy, where his leadership abilities as a Cadet Sergeant Major left an indelible impression. His era of leadership sowed the seeds for an outstanding career in the years to follow. Shortly after being commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Brigadier Lidder rose through the ranks with great tactical brilliance and commitment in some of the toughest terrains. His command of the 2nd Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles serves as testimony to this.
His illustrious service was, however, complemented by a wide variety of roles that had great import. He taught cadets at the National Defence Academy, which surely must have started the process of building future officers. His hand was strengthened, as they say, by his subsequent service as Adjutant of the Indian Military Academy when he reaffirmed his commitment to training the whole army to nurture the next generation of military leaders. He was also able to showcase many important roles, like helping in the Military Operations Directorate and Commanding a United Nations Mission, accentuating his capability to perform efficiently in a national and international environment.
His strategic skill was further demonstrated when he was entrusted to command a brigade along the sensitive Himachal Pradesh-Tibet border. Brigadier Lidder was approved for the rank of Major General by the time of his demise, poised to command a division, which forms an index to the good service he rendered and therefore the esteem he commanded from his peers and superiors alike.
Brigadier Lidder was potentially a writer and a visionary, writing deep articles on military affairs penned with such rich command of global defense strategies and ability that analytical research entails. His article, China: Counter Space Capabilities, published by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, emphasizes this: his great thinking on the subject of global defense strategies affords a claim of connotation in the strategic voice, thereby securing that what he contributed was to find an echo in the strategic discourse still going on inside the armed forces for years to come.
Tony was the name given to him by his friends and colleagues. He had varied layers like an onion. His private life was enriched by loved ones, being dedicated to Geetika Lidder, an educator and writer who has preserved him in memory via her touching writing. Aashna Lidder, their daughter, is a budding author who epitomizes the legacies of intelligence and creativity nurtured by Brigadier Lidder. Geetika Lidder’s origin of life and legacy, “I Am a Soldier’s Wife,” portrays him as a committed soldier and a dearly loving husband and father.
The launch of “I Am a Soldier’s Wife” served as a moving testament to the impact Brigadier Lidder had on those around him. General Upendra Dwivedi, the current Chief of the Army Staff, eloquently highlighted the qualities that defined Brigadier Lidder: character, competence, conduct, and commitment. He insisted that attitude, adaptability, and ability are those central factors that separate the great officer from the mediocre one. The presence of former Army Chiefs and several senior officers at the event conveyed the esteem and admiration that Brigadier Lidder commanded throughout his career. A love-laden remembrance from his daughter on social media poignantly expressed the profound personal loss his family felt: “Missing you today, Papa. Life was good to us because of you. Love you.”
The grisly deaths of Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, General Bipin Rawat, and others aboard their helicopter sent shockwaves throughout the nation. His contributions towards operations, strategies, and mentoring the young officers will ever be remembered by history and the Indian military. His legacy continues to live on in whatever lives he has touched and all the ideals that he shared with his family. As India pays homage to Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, his legacy shall be forever a shining flame, representing, for generations to come, the ideals of valor, courage, and selfless service to the motherland. He signifies a true soldier, and remains a beacon of sacrifice.
