Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana becomes new chief of Andaman & Nicobar Command
He is the first DG of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to the post
Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana on Sunday assumed charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India's first and only tri-service operational command.
Headquartered at Sri Vijaya Puram, the ANC integrates the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to protect India's strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
Commissioned into the 10th Battalion of The Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987, Lt Gen Rana later commanded the same battalion.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and the National Defence College, his academic journey also includes prestigious stints at the Centre for National Defence Studies in Spain and the National Defense University in the USA.
Over a 37-year distinguished career, Lt Gen Rana has held key operational, instructional, and staff roles. He served with the Indian Military Training Team and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and commanded both an infantry brigade and division in the Eastern Sector, later leading the Gajraj Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
As an instructor, he has served at the Indian Military Academy, College of Defence Management, and the Army War College. His notable staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Military Intelligence (East), Provost Marshal, and Director General Staff Duties.
Before assuming the CINCAN role, he was Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, becoming the first Chief of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to a Commander-in-Chief appointmentâ€'underscoring the growing importance of jointmanship and intelligence in military strategy.
Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Sena Medal (SM) and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card.
He earned both the Sena Medal and COAS Commendation early in his career for gallantry in Kashmir. He also holds a Ph.D. on China's defence modernisation.
Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana on Sunday assumed charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India's first and only tri-service operational command.
Headquartered at Sri Vijaya Puram, the ANC integrates the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to protect India's strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
Commissioned into the 10th Battalion of The Garhwal Rifles on December 19, 1987, Lt Gen Rana later commanded the same battalion.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and the National Defence College, his academic journey also includes prestigious stints at the Centre for National Defence Studies in Spain and the National Defense University in the USA.
Over a 37-year distinguished career, Lt Gen Rana has held key operational, instructional, and staff roles. He served with the Indian Military Training Team and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and commanded both an infantry brigade and division in the Eastern Sector, later leading the Gajraj Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
As an instructor, he has served at the Indian Military Academy, College of Defence Management, and the Army War College. His notable staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Military Intelligence (East), Provost Marshal, and Director General Staff Duties.
Before assuming the CINCAN role, he was Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, becoming the first Chief of Defence Intelligence to be elevated to a Commander-in-Chief appointmentâ€'underscoring the growing importance of jointmanship and intelligence in military strategy.
Lt Gen Rana has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Sena Medal (SM) and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card.
He earned both the Sena Medal and COAS Commendation early in his career for gallantry in Kashmir. He also holds a Ph.D. on China's defence modernisation. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Gurugram marks Independence Day with patriotic fervour and community spirit
Gurugram celebrated the 79th Independence Day on Friday with a vibrant display of patriotism, unity, and cultural pride. The district-level celebrations, held at Tau Devi Lal stadium in Sector 38, were presided over by Haryana agriculture and farmers' welfare minister Shyam Singh Rana, who hoisted the national flag, inspected the ceremonial parade, and took the salute. Girls of Bhagwati Arsh Kanya Gurukul perform Mallakhamb during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram Sector 38 on Friday. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) The event featured cultural performances, a salute to freedom fighters, and community-led festivities across the city, underscoring the spirit of 'Azadi ka Amrit Kaal.' In his address, Rana saluted the bravery of India's armed forces, recalling Operation Sindoor — a decisive military strike that destroyed nine terrorist bases inside Pakistan — and Operation Mahadev, in which perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack were neutralised. 'These operations are proof that India will no longer remain silent in the face of terrorism. Every citizen must stand united to protect the nation's honour, security, and integrity,' said Rana. Rana also envisioned Gurugram as a future hub for both economic activity and eco-tourism, announcing projects such as the country's largest jungle safari in the Aravalis, a Central Park-inspired 'Anand Van', an international conference centre, a grand aquarium, and a world-class Disneyland-style attraction. The minister paid tribute at the Shaheed Smarak in the zila parishad hall complex, honouring freedom fighters and their families. Over 3,000 schoolchildren participated in the celebrations, with performances including yoga demonstrations, Krishna Leela, Rajasthani folk dances, and Haryana's vibrant cultural showcases. The parade, led by assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Abhilaksh Joshi, drew applause for its discipline and grandeur, with participating schools awarded ₹3 lakh in recognition of their efforts. Patriotism across communities Many housing societies across Gurugram marked Independence Day by honouring war veterans and retired army officers. Beyond the official ceremony, Gurugram's neighbourhoods came alive with community-driven Independence Day events. Amit Jindal, RWA president of Vipul Greens, Sector 48, said, 'We celebrated the day with senior citizens and children, organising competitions, patriotic songs, and dances. It was heartwarming to see three generations come together to honour our country.' In Sector 50, Fresco Apartment RWA president Nilesh Tandon remarked, 'Our celebrations brought together residents from all walks of life. The flag hoisting was the proudest moment, and the cultural performances by our children truly reflected our unity in diversity.' Central Park residents gathered for an early-morning flag hoisting followed by songs, dances, and cultural skits. 'Independence Day here is a community tradition here,' said a resident. 'We celebrate like one big family.' At Iris Broadway, executive director Aman Trehan said, 'Every festival here is celebrated with enthusiasm. This Independence Day, we honoured 79 years of freedom while promoting wellness and community bonding. The turnout was incredible, and the spirit unmatched.' Ambience Mall marked the occasion with 'Humare Rakshak,' an installation paying tribute to India's armed forces. Featuring scale models of the S-400 missile launcher, Akash, BrahMos, and Pichora missiles, as well as fighter jets like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, MiG, and Mirage 2000, the display was crafted from upcycled materials. Arjun Gehlot, director of Ambience group, said, 'True patriotism is purposeful action. This installation honours the resilience and service of our defence forces while promoting sustainability.'
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Ramaphosa urges dialogue, unity to fix 'broken' South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans to come together to find solutions to the country's many problems, launching on Friday a months-long "national dialogue" dismissed by critics as a costly talk shop. The nationwide public consultation comes with Africa's most industrialised nation still grappling with massive poverty and inequality 30 years after the end of apartheid. "We all agree that there are many things that are broken in our country," Mr. Ramaphosa told a convention of more than 1,000 people that will draw up a roadmap for local-level meetings across the country over six to nine months. "By getting together, talking to each other, we should be able to find solutions on how we can put many of the things that are broken in our country together," he said. Among the problems Mr. Ramaphosa cited were unemployment that has passed 33 percent and inequality, among the starkest in the world. Priorities listed by organisers included high crime and land reform, with most farmland still in the hands of the white minority. Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) is touting the dialogue as a "conversation among South Africans" to chart a brighter future, but it has been met with scepticism by critics. The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the rocky year-old government of national unity, labelled the process as "meaningless" and an "obscene waste" of money and said it would not take part. The two-day convention was snubbed by key backers of the dialogue, including former president Thabo Mbeki, after complaints that it had been rushed and concerns about the budget. Amid reports that it will cost taxpayers several hundred million rand, the presidency has said everything would be done to reduce costs, with some venues and transport to be provided for free. Mr. Ramaphosa called on people from across the diverse nation of 63 million to take part. "We also need to ask ourselves, why do so many people live in abject poverty, and so few live lives of opulence?" he said. "Why, after decades of democracy, are the prospects of the white child so much better than those of a black child?" he said. "We must aim to emerge from this process with a shared national vision: one that is bold enough to inspire, yet practical enough to implement," Mr. Ramaphosa said. Around 30 eminent South Africans have been named as ambassadors of the process, including award-winning actor John Kani and Miss South Africa 2024, Mia le Roux, who were both at the launch. "We are a group of people who are very keen, have interest and experience," said Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers humanitarian group and another ambassador. "If you listen to the dialogue within ourselves, it is not a rubber-stamp organisation -- everyone challenges each other," he told AFP.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
SLINEX: Indian naval ships in Colombo to take part in bilateral exercise
Indian naval ships 'Rana' and 'Jyoti' have arrived at Colombo to participate in a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and Sri Lanka that aims at enhancing interoperability and maritime cooperation , officials said on Friday. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency Conceptualised in 2005, Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise ( SLINEX ) is a bilateral exercise that has strengthened maritime cooperation between the two nations over two decades. INS Rana , a guided missile destroyer, and INS Jyoti , a fleet tanker, have arrived at Colombo to participate in the 12th edition of the exercise, running from August 14-18, a Navy spokesperson said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want to know more? click here Undo SLINEX aims at enhancing interoperability, maritime cooperation and exchanging of best practices while jointly undertaking multi-faceted maritime operations. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted at Visakhapatnam, India from December 17-20 last year. Live Events The exercise will be conducted in two phases - the harbour phase in Colombo from August 14-16 followed by the sea phase from August 17-18. "SLNS Gajabahu and Vijayabahu (both Advance Offshore Patrol Vessels) will be representing the Sri Lankan Navy , and Special Forces of both the navies will also feature in the exercise," the spokesperson said. During the harbour phase, professional interactions, subject matter expert exchange, sharing of best practices, cultural and social exchanges along with yoga sessions and sporting events are planned, which would further bolster the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between both the navies, the Indian Navy said. "The naval drills planned during the sea phase include gunnery firing serials, communication protocols, navigation, seamanship evolutions, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) and fuelling at sea," it said. The SLINEX maritime exercise exemplifies the "deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka, which has strengthened cooperation in the maritime domain in consonance with India's policy of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions ( MAHASAGAR ), the spoksperson said.
