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Om Prakash Malhotra

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This article is about the soldier. For the lawyer, see Om Prakash Malhotra (advocate).

General
Om Prakash Malhotra
PVSM
21st Governor of Punjab and 8th Administrator of Chandigarh
In office
18 December 1990 – 7 August 1991
PresidentR. Venkataraman
Chief MinisterVacant (President's rule)
Preceded byVirendra Verma
Succeeded bySurendra Nath
13th Indian Ambassador to Indonesia
In office
February 1982 – November 1984
Preceded byS. K. Bhutani
Succeeded byV. C. Khanna
21st Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
In office
1 March 1979 – 31 May 1981
PresidentNeelam Sanjiva Reddy
Prime MinisterMorarji Desai
Charan Singh
Indira Gandhi
Preceded byJal Cursetji
Succeeded byIdris Hasan Latif
10th Chief of the Army Staff (India)
In office
1 June 1978 – 31 May 1981
PresidentNeelam Sanjiva Reddy
Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi
Morarji Desai
Charan Singh
Preceded byTapishwar Narain Raina
Succeeded byK. V. Krishna Rao
Personal details
Born
Om Prakash Malhotra

(1922-08-06)6 August 1922
Srinagar, J&K, India
Died29 December 2015(2015-12-29) (aged 93)
Gurgaon, Haryana, India
CitizenshipBritish Raj British Indian (1922-47)
India Indian (1947-2015)
NationalityBritish Raj British Indian (1922-47)
India Indian (1947-2015)
SpouseSaroj Malhotra
EducationMHS Srinagar
SPC Srinagar
Alma materGCU Lahore
IMA Dera Doon
RSA Larkhill
Military service
Allegiance British India (1922 - 1947)
 India (1947 - 2015)
Branch/service British Indian Army (1941 - 1947)
 Indian Army (1947 - 1981)
Years of service1941–1981
Rank General
Unit
Commands
Battles/wars
Service numberIC-478[1]
Award(s)

General Om Prakash Malhotra, PVSM (6 August 1922 – 29 December 2015), best known as OP Malhotra, was a senior army officer in the Indian Army who served as the 10th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1978 – 1981. Upon retiring from his military service in India, he served in the Indian Foreign Service when he tenured as the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia 1981-1984, and later served as a political administrator in India as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh 1990-1991.

Early life

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Om Prakash Malhotra was born on 6 August 1922 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, British India, into a Punjabi Hindu Khatri family of the Malhotra clan, within the Dhai Ghar family-group originally belongs to Lahore. Malhotra received his schooling first at Model High School, Srinagar, and then at Sri Pratap College, Srinagar. He then attended Government College University, Lahore, before being selected to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dera Doon.[citation needed]

Military career

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He was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery as a Second Lieutenant in November 1941. His first assignment was with 26 (Jacobs) Mountain Battery in Razmak, North West Frontier Province. He was later assigned to 15 (Jhelum) Mountain Battery which, as part of the 50th Parachute Brigade, fought against the Japanese during the Second World War on the Burmese front. He distinguished himself as a young officer in the Battle of Sangshak where he was wounded in action.[2][3] He later became Second-in-Command of 13 (Dardoni) Mountain Battery.

Malhotra became an instructor at the School of Artillery in Deolali, and in 1946 attended the Long Gunnery Staff Course at the Royal School of Artillery in Larkhill, United Kingdom. He commanded artillery regiments across India between November 1950 and July 1961 including 37 Coorg Anti Tank Regiment, 20 Locating Regiment[4] and 42 Field Regiment. In between he served at Army HQ, New Delhi, did the Defense Services Staff College course at Wellington and was later an instructor at the Defense Services Staff College, Wellington. He was then posted from 1962 to 1965 as the Military and Naval Attaché of India to the USSR, concurrently accredited to Poland and Hungary, holding the local rank of brigadier in the role.[5]

Upon return from Moscow in August 1965, Malhotra commanded 1 Artillery Brigade, part of 1 Armoured Division and fought in Sialkot Sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.[6] After the ceasefire with Pakistan he commanded 167 Mountain Brigade at Sela Pass, Tawang District, North-East Frontier Agency. He was promoted to acting Major General in September 1967 and commanded 36 Infantry Division in Saugor for two years, with a promotion to substantive major-general on 28 February 1968.[7] From 29 September 1969 till May 1972 he was Chief of Staff, IV Corps, in Tezpur during the Bangladesh Liberation War.[8] He played a crucial role during the Battle of Sialkot during the Bangladesh Liberation War where, "the thrust by the 1 Artillery Brigade under his command forced Pakistan to thin forces from its main attack column that had overrun Khemkaran and was making a bid to drive a wedge through the heart of Punjab."[9] Subsequently, he was promoted to acting lieutenant-general on 29 May 1972 (substantive from 15 October) and given command of XI Corps in Jalandhar, which he commanded for two years.[10] He was later the GOC-in-C Southern Command located at Pune.[11]

In 1976, Malhotra was awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal for "service of the most exceptional order". He was Vice Chief of Army Staff before taking over as Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army on 31 May 1978 and serving in that post for three years. He was an Honorary Senior Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army and also an Honorary General of the Nepalese Army.

Ambassador to Indonesia and Governor of Punjab

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After retiring from the Indian Army on 31 May 1981, Malhotra served as the Ambassador of India to Indonesia from 1981 to 1984. During 1990-1991, he was the Governor of the Indian State of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh[12] when militancy in that state was at its height. Malhotra resigned from his post in protest when planned elections in the state were deferred by the National Election Commission without notice.[13] Upon the postponement of the elections he said that "I have been through three Wars, I have been a General in the Wars, but I have never felt as defeated as I feel today after this announcement by the Election Commission that the Elections have been postponed."[14]

Post-retirement

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A keen sportsman, Malhotra was the Founder President of the Asian Equestrian Federation in 1978.[15] He was also the President of the Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi from 1979 - 1980.[16]

He served for nine years as the President of the Equestrian Federation of India a post which he took on while serving as Chief of Army Staff and continued in post-retirement.[17] He was responsible for the revival of the cavalry sport of Tent Pegging in India and across Asia, as an equestrian sport.[17] After a demonstration of the sport in New Delhi to HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the serving President of International Federation for Equestrian Sports, approval was granted for its inclusion as an equestrian sport under regional governance which led to its inclusion in the Asian Games from 1981 onwards.[18]

Malhotra was a Founder Trustee of the Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum,[19] and served as the President of India's largest NGO, the "National Association for the Blind" in New Delhi. He was the Chairperson of the National Association for the Blind Centre For Blind Women & Disability Studies.[20] He was an active member of Kiwanis Club of New Delhi, patron of the All India Federation of The Deaf,[21] and a Trustee of the Delhi Cheshire Homes.[22]

In addition, Malhotra was also the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of two charitable organisations Shiksha and Chikitsa.[23][24][25]

Personal life

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Malhotra was married to Saroj, with whom he had two children. His son, Ajai Malhotra, was Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation from 2011 - 2013.[citation needed]

Death

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Malhotra died at his home in Gurugram due to complications of old age on 29 December 2015.[26] On 31 December 2015 his funeral was held with full military honours at Brar Square.[27] As former Chief of Army Staff from the Regiment of Artillery his body was carried to the funeral on an artillery gun carriage.[28]

Honours and awards

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Dates of rank

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Insignia Rank Component Date of rank
Second Lieutenant British Indian Army 9 November 1941 (emergency)[29]
Lieutenant British Indian Army 1 October 1942 (war-substantive)[29]
27 October 1945 (substantive; regular commission)[29]
Captain British Indian Army 3 January 1944 (acting)[29]
4 January 1944 (temporary)[29]
Major British Indian Army 4 January 1944 (acting)[29]
Lieutenant Indian Army 15 August 1947[note 1][30]
Captain Indian Army 22 April 1948[1][note 1][30]
Captain Indian Army 26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)[30][31]
Major Indian Army 22 April 1955[32]
Lieutenant-Colonel Indian Army 22 April 1958[33]
Colonel Indian Army 13 October 1964[34]
Brigadier Indian Army 22 March 1963 (local)[5]
26 May 1965 (substantive)[35]
Major General Indian Army 22 August 1967 (acting)[36]
28 February 1968[7]
Lieutenant-General Indian Army 29 May 1972 (acting)[10]
15 October 1972 (substantive)[37]
General
(COAS)		 Indian Army 1 June 1978[38]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Upon independence in 1947, India became a Dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations. As a result, the rank insignia of the British Army, incorporating the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star ("pip"), was retained, as George VI remained Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. After 26 January 1950, when India became a republic, the President of India became Commander-in-Chief, and the Ashoka Lion replaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."

References

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  1. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 6 September 1952. p. 193.
  2. ^ Seaman, Harry (1989). The Battle At Sangshak: Prelude to Kohim. Leo Cooper. pp. 130, 132. ISBN 9780850527209.
  3. ^ Graham, Brigadier General C. A. L. (1957). The History of the Indian Mountain Artillery. Gale & Polden. pp. 352, 353.
  4. ^ "20 Surveillance and Target Acquisition". Sainik Samachar.
  5. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 April 1963. p. 140.
  6. ^ Praval, Major KC (2013). Indian Army After Independence. Lancer. p. 548. ISBN 9781935501619.
  7. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 4 May 1968. p. 369.
  8. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 November 1969. p. 1095.
  9. ^ "Led from front, even as Punjab Governor". Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 January 1973. p. 95.
  11. ^ "The Official Home Page of the Indian Army". www.indianarmy.nic.in.
  12. ^ Crossette, Barbara (19 December 1990). "Punjabis, Caught Between Sikh Rebels and New Delhi, Fear a Showdown". The New York Times. p. 3. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  13. ^ (2008) Grewal, J.S. The Cambridge History of India: The Sikhs of Punjab, pg. 287, Cambridge University Press, http://www.vidhia.com/Historical%20and%20Political/The_Sikhs_of_Punjab.pdf Archived 28 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Digital Sansad".
  15. ^ "About AEF".
  16. ^ "Founder Members, Past Presidents & Captains". Delhigolfclub.org. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  17. ^ a b "Tent Pegging | Equestrian Federation of India".
  18. ^ "Tent Pegging | Equestrian Federation of India".
  19. ^ "Trustees". www.nticva.org. Archived from the original on 6 April 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  20. ^ "Committees | NAB Center for Blind Women & Disability Studies". Archived from the original on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Welcome to All India Federation of the Deaf". www.aifdeaf.in. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Cheshire Homes India-Delhi Unit ::". Archived from the original on 9 September 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  23. ^ "Trustees of the NTICVA General Om Prakash Malhotra PVSM". Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the Victoria and Albert Mission. Nehru Trust. Retrieved 29 December 2015.</rg/trusteesef>
  24. ^ "Org Summary". Guide Star India. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  25. ^ "Board of Trustees". Chikitsa. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  26. ^ ANI (29 December 2015). "Former COAS Gen. O P Malhotra passes away". Business Standard India. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  27. ^ "COAS pays Tribute to Former COAS Gen Om Prakash Malhotra". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  28. ^ "h6". www.sainiksamachar.nic.in. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  29. ^ a b c d e f Indian Army List (Special Edition) 1947. Government of India Press. 1947. pp. 249A.
  30. ^ a b c "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 August 2017.
  31. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 11 February 1950. p. 227.
  32. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 23 June 1956. p. 127.
  33. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 August 1960. p. 217.
  34. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 13 November 1965. p. 583.
  35. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 2 April 1966. p. 211.
  36. ^ "Army Appointments/Promotions" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. 22 August 1967. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  37. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 10 February 1973. p. 187.
  38. ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 22 July 1978. p. 714.
[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Army Staff
1978–1981 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
A M Vohra
 Vice Chief of Army Staff
20 January 1977 - 31 May 1978 		Succeeded by
S L Menezes
Preceded by
Sartaj Singh
 General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command
1 August 1974 - 19 January 1977 		Succeeded by
A M Vohra
Government offices
Preceded by Governor of Punjab
1990–1991 		Succeeded by
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