Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane takes charge as new Army Chief

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Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane took over the charges as the new Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday, leading the 1.3 million-strong force. Lt Gen Naravane, who was serving as vice-chief of the army, was awarded the 'Sena Medal' (Distinguished) for effectively commanding his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir. After his appointment as next Army chief Lt Gen MM Naravane said, "It is an honour to be given this responsibility."

In his 37 years of service, Lt Gen Naravane has served in numerous command and staff appointments in peace, field and highly active counter-insurgency environments in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

He has also commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Jammu and Kashmir and an infantry brigade on the eastern front. He was also part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and had served as India's defence attache at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years. In June 1980 was commissioned into the 7th battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment.

Lt Gen Naravane is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

The General is a decorated officer who has been awarded the 'Sena Medal' (Distinguished) for effectively commanding his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir.

He is also a 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.

Before appointed as vice chief of the Army, Gen Naravane was heading the Army's Eastern Command that takes care of India's nearly 4,000-km border with China.

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