Page 352 - Leadership in the Indian Army

Staff’, and being admitted to this group was a coveted honour for the
others. A whole generation of Poona Horse officers was directly influenced
by Hanut’s ideas and views, and it is interesting to note that almost all of

them rose to become General officers—just one more of the many unique
distinctions earned by the regiment. Many of them, such as Ajai Singh,
Surrinder Singh, Amrik Virk, Neville Foley and Moti Dar, who joined the
regiment after Hanut, recall with nostalgia the days spent under his tutelage.
Describing his first meeting with Hanut in July 1956, Lieutenant General
Ajai Singh who later became a Governor, has written in the book, Fakhr-e-
Hind: The Story of the Poona Horse:

It was after two to three days of my stay in the Regiment that I met him. I was sitting in the C
Squadron office after the Maintenance Parade when a tall, thin, smartly turned out officer
entered the office. What struck me most about him was his prominent hooked nose and the very
proud and penetrating look in his eyes. He walked to me and met with such enthusiasm, warmth
and affection that I felt as though we had known each other for ages…. Thereafter, without
further ado, he took me to the Squadron and introduced me to all members of his troop, which I
was to take over. Having done this at the garages itself, he gave me a programme for my training
which I was to commence from the next day; he also gave me a large bundle of books and precis
which I was to read in my own time. I went through all this businesslike activity in a state of
total shock because, till then, such a serious approach to professional matters had neither been
seen or heard during the few days I had spent in the Regiment.
So this was Hanut—stoic, businesslike and upright. Being a senior subaltern he had full
authority over the Young Officers (YOs), which he exercised with ruthless impartiality, whether
it was in the Officers’ Mess, or on the playgrounds. Some of the senior YOs, of course, resented
this attitude but Hanut would not compromise. Irrespective of what the juniors and seniors felt
about this remarkable man, one thing was universally true; he was loved by the men and
admired and respected by all officers. Even then, as a youngster, I could foresee that he might
just be the right man to usher in a new era in the Poona Horse—an era of regenerated
Regimental spirit, professionalism and high spirits. As time passed, my anticipation proved more
than correct. His influence on all the officers that were to follow was so complete that some of
them went so far as to emulate him even in talk, gestures and mannerisms. This also explains
why, in the course of time, he came to be nicknamed ‘Gurudev’ (teacher, or master).

Writing in a similar vein in the same book, Lieutenant General Surrinder
Singh, who joined the Poona Horse in January 1958, reminisces:

Amongst this lot, the officer who was to have the most profound influence was Hanut Singh,
who had joined the Regiment in January 1953. A tall, lean and ascetic figure, uncompromising
in his beliefs and convictions yet gentle and considerate to his juniors and subordinates,
possessed with an exuberant sense of humour and a pungent, ready wit, he was an extremely
dedicated and devoted professional. His forte was instruction, delivered in a modulated and
compelling tone which carried conviction and understanding. A man of sterling character
combined with a forceful personality, he had no time for fools—a fact which was soon apparent
to those in this category.