Some people leave an impression not by being the loudest in the room, but by the goodness they quietly carry within them. Virendra Pal Singh - our beloved VP - was one such person. A man of few words, calm demeanour and quiet dignity, VP never sought attention, yet his presence was always felt. Behind his seemingly rugged exterior was an exceptionally gentle, compassionate and affectionate human being. He was a thorough gentleman, a wonderful sportsman, a professional soldier and, above all, a friend with a heart of gold.

VP was the youngest of six brothers, all of whom studied at the prestigious Sherwood College, Nainital and later commissioned into Army - two of his brothers in Armoured Corps and three in the Parachute Regiment. Their father, Lt Col Dharam Singh, was a decorated soldier and a recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra. The values of discipline, courage, humility and service that he inherited from his family remained evident throughout VP’s life. At Sherwood, VP was remembered as the strong and silent type - reserved, exceptionally decent and never one to seek the limelight. He was also an excellent sportsman, with hockey and football being his forte. It was perhaps here, amid the hills of Kumaon, that the foundations of the quiet strength that defined VP were laid.

For many of us, VP Singh will forever remain the calm, smiling face of our NDA days. He joined the Academy as a quiet, sober and reserved young man. He was neither an OG nor a panga taker. He was simple, straight-going and sincere - a Cadet who did his duties without fuss and carried himself with quiet confidence. He eventually became the CSM of Bravo Squadron, a responsibility that suited his personality perfectly. As SCC SN Mohanty recalls, VP was the person everyone could rely upon to handle squadron matters. He had the maturity and foresight to deal with situations without drama, allowing others to sit back with confidence that things were in safe hands.

Yet behind that disciplined exterior was a young man who knew how to enjoy life. His close friends remember the liberty outings to Pune - beer at PCH, movies at West End or Rahul, and even the occasional mid-term break when the group would give Anand Parab’s address and stay in a lodge. VP, being the dependable one, often became the account keeper for the entire group. Even then, there was something quietly endearing about him. His favourite treats from Gole Market were donuts, jalebi & samosa from local shops. There were also those unforgettable late-night Bravo Squadron moments - music, laughter and, when a bottle of rum somehow found its way into the squadron, the kind of innocent mischief that only Cadets can understand. Those memories remain priceless.

VP was also an exceptional runner and an inspiration to many. Ashish recalls watching him during cross-country training in the third term. VP seemed to run with an effortless, easy gait. While others struggled towards the finish, VP would already be comfortably relaxing somewhere up front. For Ashish, VP became a role model for running and physical fitness. He tried to understand VP's technique and follow his pattern through the later terms and even during IMA runs. What made VP special was that he never made physical fitness look like a burden. He made it look like poetry in motion. One of SN Mohanty's most cherished memories captures another side of VP - his optimism and foresight. During our sixth term, after the cross-country run, Bravo Squadron had little reason to believe that they would win. They had no obvious collection of top runners, except Abdul Hamid. Yet, before the results were announced, VP went to Hamid and told him to get ready to collect the trophy if Bravo won. To Mohanty, it seemed like hope against hope. But VP had sensed something. And when the results were announced, Bravo Squadron was declared the champion. That little incident said much about VP - his optimism, his confidence, his ability to think ahead and his instinctive understanding of people.

VP had a remarkable ability to form deep friendships without being demonstrative about them. Jasminder remembers becoming close to VP within days of joining NDA. They played hockey and football together, travelled together and shared those wonderfully carefree liberty days. And VP remained VP through it all - quiet, dependable, affectionate and unassuming.

In June 1980, our course was commissioned. VP initially went to 10 Para Commando on probation. Due to circumstances that required a change, he subsequently moved to the Kumaon Regiment, where he served with distinction. Those who met him later in service remember the same qualities that had defined him at NDA - professionalism, discipline, humility and quiet confidence. Ashish had the opportunity to meet VP when he was commanding his battalion. Even in Command, VP had not changed. He remained the same thorough Professional and Gentleman they had known as Cadets.

After retirement, VP chose to return to the mountains that had been part of his childhood. He built a beautiful home in the Kumaon hills near Ranikhet and settled there as a bachelor. He took to golfing and travelling the world, enjoying the freedom and serenity of his post-service years. But retirement did not diminish his instinct to serve others. Sunil David, who also built a cottage in the Kumaon hills, had several opportunities to meet VP after retirement. At his home in Ranikhet, VP would greet him with his characteristic warmth and, of course, his famous cold coffee - a drink that brought back fond memories of our Academy days.

But perhaps what was most remarkable about VP's retired life was something he never talked about. He quietly devoted himself to helping less privileged families in the area, giving them opportunities and dignity. He did so without seeking publicity, recognition or applause. His generosity was discreet. His service was silent. And perhaps that was the most authentic expression of the man he had always been.

VP battled cancer for several years. Yet even during his illness, the qualities that had defined him throughout life remained intact. AK Singh met him for the last time at Rudrapur, when VP was travelling to Delhi for treatment. Even then, he was full of life and planning for the future. He admired the jacket AK was wearing, photographed its label and planned to ask a friend in America to bring him one. They even discussed a future trip to Somnath, once VP was feeling better. There was no sense of surrender. VP was convinced that he would win his battle against cancer. That was VP - optimistic, positive and looking ahead.

He had also been a perfectionist in every aspect of life, and his concern for friends remained undiminished. AK remembers how Neelam, Kabir and Radhika were especially fond of him and how visits to their farm were always looked forward to. During his last visit, he had even asked Radhika to bake some goodies for him to take back to Ranikhet. The dough was still waiting in the refrigerator to go into the oven when VP left.

He never returned. No one knew that his journey to Noida would be his last. VP breathed his last in February 2026, after his courageous battle with cancer. Some of his course mates and friends went to pay their final respects. Later, a prayer meeting was held at his residence in Ranikhet, attended by schoolmates and civilian friends who had come to say goodbye. And what a wonderful life they were saying goodbye to.

Perhaps the most moving memories are those that reveal how VP lived his friendships. Many years after NDA, at a Delhi reunion at Navy House, Prakasam suddenly fainted from weakness. VP was immediately by his side, coordinating first aid with the Naval Chief's medical team until he recovered.

That was VP. He didn't need to make a speech about friendship. He simply showed up when a friend needed him. RK Nair perhaps captures VP's essence best. He remembers an unforgettable smile - one that reminded him of the legendary Dharmendra - radiant, charismatic and genuine. VP had infectious warmth that could brighten even an ordinary day. He was ever smiling, ever positive and blessed with an affable nature that made people feel valued.

VP, you were, and will always remain, one of our finest.

Penned with inputs from AK Singh (C), Sunil David (A) & Bravo Sqn mates.

🙏May his soul rest in peace 🙏