GENERAL Manoj Mukund Narvane takes over as Army Chief
General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday took over as the 28th Chief of Army Staff succeeding General Bipin Rawat who has been appointed India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Gen Naravane was serving as vice chief of the Army . Army Chief, Gen Naravane’s priorities will include implementation of long-pending reforms of the Army, contain cross-border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir and bolster the operational capabilities of the force along the northern border. The alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, he had headed the Army’s Eastern Command that takes care of India’s nearly 4,000-km border with China. With Gen Naravane taking charge, all the three services heads, including Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria, are now from the 56th course of the National Defence Academy. In his 37 years of service, Gen Naravane served in numerous command and staff appointments in peace, field and highly active counter-insurgency environments in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. He also commanded a Rashtriya Rifles battalion in Jammu and Kashmir and an infantry brigade on the eastern front. He was part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and served as India’s Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years. He was commissioned into the 7th battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980. The general is a decorated officer who has been awarded the ‘Sena Medal’ (Distinguished) for effectively commanding his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir. The is recipient of the ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ for his services as the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) in Nagaland and the ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ for commanding of a prestigious strike corps., performing their duties, keeping the traditions of our armed forces. My special compliments to our soldiers on northern, western and eastern borders who are braving tough winter and icy winds, steadfastly in guarding our country,” he told reporters.
