Sunday 7 February 2016

Harivanshrai Bachchan Col Pendyala Pradeep

Know about RSI...

Wonder, how much you know about Gen Rajendra Sinhji, the second Chief of Army Staff, first being Field Marshall Cariappa. RSI ( Rajendra Sinhji Institute ) is named after him. He was born in Kathiawar, Gujarat on 15 June 1899. He was the elder brother of KS Ranjit Sinhji and uncle of KS Duleep Sinhji, the two cricketing luminaries. He studies at Rajkumar College Rajkot, later at Royal Military College Sandhurst. In 1921, he was commissioned as second lieutenant in Indian Army. He held various ranks and offices in the British Indian Army and served with distinction during the Second World War. For his courageous leadership and determined action during Second World War Rajendrasinhji was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1941, he was the first Indian to be honoured with this decoration.
The Partition of India in 1947 caused an upheaval in both the security situation and the dynamics of the Indian army. The partition meant the division of the Indian army, which was concurrently called upon to deal with several critical security situations arising from the partition of the country and the anticipated integration of the princely states. Also during this period, British officers who held most of the senior ranks in the Indian army were gradually disengaged, being replaced with Indian officers. During this critical period, Rajendrasinhji was called upon to shoulder many onerous responsibilities and received rapid promotion in rank commensurately.The integration of Hyderabad State with India, was executed during his term in office as GOC-in-C (South).
As the senior-most serving officer in the army, Gen. Rajendrasinhji was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army on 14 January 1953, following the retirement of General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa, Rajendrasinhji received the rank of General on the same day. With effect from 1 April 1955, the President of India constitutionally designated the Commander-in-chief Rajendrasinhji as the first head of the Indian army and designated him as Chief of Army Staff. He held that office until his retirement from service on 14 May 1955...Col ( Retd ) Pendyala Pradeep, Former HOD ( Anaesthesiology ), MH Secunderabad.