GENERAL KV KRISHNA RAO, PVSM

General KV Krishna Rao, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, former Chief of the Army Staff has been an outstanding military leader and scholar warrior who contributed not only to the growth of the Indian Army but also to Nation building.

Born  on  16  July  1923, General  KV  Krishna Rao, was commissioned  into 2 MAHAR on 09 August 1942 and later shifted to 3 MAHAR on its raising in Nov 1943. He commanded 3 MAHAR in Rajouri from 1956 to 59, a Brigade in Ladakh, initially 26 Inf Div and later 8 Mtn Div which was initially engaged in counter Insurgency operations in Nagaland and Manipur and later instrumental in capturing Sylhet Area and liberating Bangladesh in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. He went on to command 16 Corps in Jammu and Kashmir, followed by Western Army from 1979-81 and was the ‘Chief of the Army Staff’ from 1981-1983.

Gen Krishna Rao’s greatest legacy was his exposition of “Cold Start”– the first Commander to formulate such a military doctrine of multiple, shallow strikes at blistering speeds to capture chunks of enemy territory and finish the war early.

Soon after his retirement he was appointed as Governor of Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura (June 1984 to July 1989) and Governor of Jammu and Kashmir twice (1989 to 1990 and March 1993 to May 1998). He was instrumental in restoring peace and democracy in the insurgency riven states of the North East and of Jammu & Kashmir. His phenomenal service in bringing these States into the national mainstream cannot be forgotten.

He took over the ‘Colonelcy’ of The Mahar Regiment in 1968 and during his 17 years long service tenure as ‘The Colonel’ till July 1983 he infused energy, competence, reliability, thoroughness, credibility and rectitude in all ranks of the Mahar Regiment’. His constant guidance and motivation shaped the Regiment and laid the foundation for the reputation that it enjoys today.

General KV Krishna Rao, PVSM has been a colossus and legend, Chief of the Army, Col and Hony Col of the Mahar Regiment and Governor, Statesman and Visionary without parallel, who rose to achieve great heights even though being from a humble background.