Malayali Major-General Ok Narayanan to take over as thirteenth colonel of Maratha Light Infantry

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malappuram native Major-General Ok Narayanan, AVSM, SM, might be taking on because the thirteenth colonel of the Maratha Light Infantry on Tuesday. An alumnus of Sainik School Kazhakootam right here, 56-year-old Maj-Gen Narayanan is presently Joint Secretary (Army) beneath Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on the Union Ministry of Defence (MoD).   

For the primary time within the historical past of the Indian Armed Forces, uniformed personnel from the Army, Air Force and Navy had been appointed within the ranks of extra secretary and joint secretary within the MoD. This noticed Maj-Gen Narayanan being appointed joint secretary in May this yr.

The incumbent colonel of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, Asit Mistry, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, will hand over the baton to Narayanan on the Regimental Centre at Belagavi in Karnataka on Tuesday. Asit Mistry is because of retire this month. 

Son of VS Krishnan and Vasantha, Narayanan handed out from Sainik School in 1982. He was commissioned to the twelfth Maratha Light Infantry Regiment in December 1985. Narayanan was awarded the Sena Medal throughout the 2019 Republic Day for his contribution because the deputy director-general, Personnel Services (A), and basic officer commanding of 29 Infantry Division, Pathankot.

During this yr’s Republic Day, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for dealing with tri-services within the Army Capability Integration Development System – Information and Communication Technology (ACIDS – ICT) and demanding points because the joint secretary (Army & Territorial Army). 

Col Rajesh Nair, one in every of Narayanan’s former dormitory mates at SSK, recalled the exemplary monitor report of his shut buddy. “Narayanan was junior to me by two years and we were put up in Prasad House dormitory at SSK. I had always wondered how Narayanan would survive in the defence as he was a pure vegetarian. But my fears were unwarranted as he has gone on to become the general officer. He is a thorough professional and an ardent regimental soldier who carries with him rich experience, passion and zest to lead the regiment,” mentioned Col Rajesh.