Gen MM Naravane superannuated after four decades of illustrious and meritorious service

General Manoj Pande took charge as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on Saturday after incumbent Gen MM Naravane retired from service.

General MM Naravane superannuated after four decades of illustrious and meritorious service. General Manoj Pande took charge as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on Saturday after incumbent Gen MM Naravane retired from service.

General MM Naravane's tenure in the office will be remembered for ensuring the health of Indian Army personnel during the Covid-19 pandemic, resolute reply to the Northern adversary in Eastern Ladakh and a determined push towards Atmanirbharta, besides embracing niche and disruptive technologies to fight future wars.

He gave impetus to military diplomacy, was instrumental in furthering good relations with India’s partner nations and enhanced India’s Comprehensive National Power.

His tenure saw the completion of the restructuring of Army HQ in New Delhi, resulting in a much leaner and more integrated decision-making body. He was familiar with the challenges involved in creating synergies between the three services. He also pushed for the operationalisation of IBGs.

General Naravane had been a soldier’s soldier and was concerned about the welfare of the troops. He visited the forward areas in Jammu & Kashmir, Eastern Ladakh and the North East a number of times and actively pursued the cases for rapid construction of accommodation and habitats for the newly inducted troops in Eastern Ladakh post April 2020.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into The Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Higher Command Course, Mhow. The General Officer holds a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies, an MPhil Degree in Defence and Management Studies, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate.

He commanded the Republic Day Parade in 2017 in his capacity as General Officer Commanding Delhi Area. After successfully commanding the Army Training Command in Shimla and the Eastern Command in Kolkata, he held the appointment of Vice Chief of the Army Staff before assuming the appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff on 31 December 2019.