MM Lakhera
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General Madan Mohan Lakhera, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (born 1937) is the former Governor
of the India
n state of Mizoram
. He has held that position since July 2006. Previously, he was the Lieutenant Governor
of the Union Territory
of Pondicherry from 2004 to 2006. He has also served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while holding additional charge.
family, in Village Jakhand, Tehri Garhwal, located in what is today the Indian state of Uttarakhand
. He was educated at the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun
, and later, the National Defence Academy
, Khadakvasla. He was commissioned as an officer into the Indian Army
from the Indian Military Academy
, Dehradun, on 8 June 1958. He also attended the elite Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
, MM Lakhera participated in the 1961 liberation of Goa
, and the Indo Pakistan wars of 1965 & 1971 in the Jammu & Kashmir Sector. He later attended the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington (South India) and the Long Gunnery Staff Course at the School of Artillery, Devlali. Also attended Senior Defence Management Course at College of Defence Management of Secundrabad. He served as an Instructor at the School of Artillery from 1967–70, and subsequently at the Army War College from 1978-81. Eventually, Lieutenant Colonel (at the time) Lakhera rose to command the 4th Battation of the Kumaon Regiment
in Jammu & Kashmir from December 1975 to July 1978.
by the President of India on 26 January 1990.
Lakhera was promoted to Major General in March 1990, and posted as Chief of Staff of the Kashmir valley based Corps Headquarters. He was actively involved in coordination of all counter insurgency operations, including the sealing of the Line of Control in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh Sector. At this stage, for his success in discharging his responsibilities, Major General Lakhera was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
by the President of India on 26 January 1991. He subsequently commanded an Infantry Division.
In 1992, Lakhera was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, and was initially posted as Chief of Staff
of Headquarters, Central Army Command. Besides other operational and administrative responsibilities, in the aftermath of the Ayodhya incident in December 1992, General Lakhera was responsible for coordinating Army assistance to a beleagured civil administration in the sensitive States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. He was subsequently posted as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Northern Army Command, dealing with the volatile insurgency in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
In June, 1993, General Lakhera took over as Adjutant General
of the Indian Army, where he was actively involved with policy framing on all aspects of Manpower Planning & Management including Defence civilians. The General also served as the Colonel Commandant
of his parent Kumaon Regiment. For distinguished services of most exceptional order, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India on 26 January 1995.
Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of states of India
The Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of the states and territories of India have similar powers and functions at the state level as that of the President of India at Union level. Governors exist in the states while Lieutenant-Governors exist in union territories and in the National Capital...
of the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Mizoram
Mizoram
Mizoram is one of the Seven Sister States in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the...
. He has held that position since July 2006. Previously, he was the Lieutenant Governor
Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of states of India
The Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of the states and territories of India have similar powers and functions at the state level as that of the President of India at Union level. Governors exist in the states while Lieutenant-Governors exist in union territories and in the National Capital...
of the Union Territory
Union Territory
A Union Territory is a sub-national administrative division of India, in the federal framework of governance. Unlike the states of India, which have their own elected governments, union territories are ruled directly by the federal government; the President of India appoints an Administrator or...
of Pondicherry from 2004 to 2006. He has also served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while holding additional charge.
Education and early life
Madan Mohan Lakhera was born in 1937 to a BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family, in Village Jakhand, Tehri Garhwal, located in what is today the Indian state of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
. He was educated at the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun
Dehradun
- Geography :The Dehradun district has various types of physical geography from Himalayan mountains to Plains. Raiwala is the lowest point at 315 meters above sea level, and the highest points are within the Tiuni hills, rising to 3700 m above sea level...
, and later, the National Defence Academy
National Defence Academy
National Defence Academy or National Defense Academy likely refers to:*National Defence Academy *National Defense Academy of JapanIt may also refer to:*Academy of National Defence, Poland...
, Khadakvasla. He was commissioned as an officer into the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
from the Indian Military Academy
Indian Military Academy
The Indian Military Academy, Dehradun is the officer training school of the Indian Army. IMA was established in 1932.-Demands for an Indian military training academy:...
, Dehradun, on 8 June 1958. He also attended the elite Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
Early service
During his service in the Indian ArmyIndian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
, MM Lakhera participated in the 1961 liberation of Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
, and the Indo Pakistan wars of 1965 & 1971 in the Jammu & Kashmir Sector. He later attended the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington (South India) and the Long Gunnery Staff Course at the School of Artillery, Devlali. Also attended Senior Defence Management Course at College of Defence Management of Secundrabad. He served as an Instructor at the School of Artillery from 1967–70, and subsequently at the Army War College from 1978-81. Eventually, Lieutenant Colonel (at the time) Lakhera rose to command the 4th Battation of the Kumaon Regiment
Kumaon Regiment
The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars...
in Jammu & Kashmir from December 1975 to July 1978.
Higher Command
On promotion to Brigadier, Lakhera assumed command of a Brigade at Kanpur. The formation took part in operation ‘Blue Star’ in Punjab in 1984 and also provided effective aid to Civil authority at Kanpur during 1984 riots. For his successful handling of these operations, (then) Brigadier Lakhera, was awarded the Chief of Army Staff's Commendation Card twice i.e. on 15 January 1985 and 15 August 1985. He subsequently held the appointment of Sub Area Commander in Kashmir valley, in the rank of Brigadier, where besides being responsible for logistical support to forward troops, he was responsible for aid to civilian authorities in the sensitive Kashmir valley. For his successful efforts in performing varied tasks, and for his professional competence in the discharge of his duty, Lakhera was awarded the Vishisht Seva MedalVishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal is a decoration of the Indian Armed forces. It is awarded to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the Indian armed forces....
by the President of India on 26 January 1990.
Lakhera was promoted to Major General in March 1990, and posted as Chief of Staff of the Kashmir valley based Corps Headquarters. He was actively involved in coordination of all counter insurgency operations, including the sealing of the Line of Control in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh Sector. At this stage, for his success in discharging his responsibilities, Major General Lakhera was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal is a military award of India given to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the armed forces....
by the President of India on 26 January 1991. He subsequently commanded an Infantry Division.
In 1992, Lakhera was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, and was initially posted as Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
of Headquarters, Central Army Command. Besides other operational and administrative responsibilities, in the aftermath of the Ayodhya incident in December 1992, General Lakhera was responsible for coordinating Army assistance to a beleagured civil administration in the sensitive States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. He was subsequently posted as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Northern Army Command, dealing with the volatile insurgency in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
In June, 1993, General Lakhera took over as Adjutant General
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
of the Indian Army, where he was actively involved with policy framing on all aspects of Manpower Planning & Management including Defence civilians. The General also served as the Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant is a military title used in the armed forces of some English-speaking countries. The title, not a substantive rank, could denote a senior colonel with authority over fellow colonels...
of his parent Kumaon Regiment. For distinguished services of most exceptional order, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India on 26 January 1995.
Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry
Lt. Gen. Madan Mohan Lakhera (Retd) took over as Lt. Governor and Administrator of Pondicherry on 7 July 2004. He was, at the time, the first person from Garhwal Division to hold a Gubernatorial appointment. As the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, he was involved in organizing the Government machinery to come to the immediate aid of the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami of the Pondicherry region. He personally monitored the progress of relief & rehabilitation measures and took a personal interest in bringing about a definite and positive change in the life of the Tsunami affected villagers.Revivial of Pondicherry Panchayat Elections
General Lakhera's tenure in Pondicherry witnessed the conduct of Panchayat and Municipal Elections after a span of 38 years. Elections to the 12th Legislative Assembly of Pondicherry were also held during his tenure in a free & fair manner, and without any incident.Additional charge as Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
General Lakhera was assigned additional charge as Lt. Governor of the Andaman & Nicober Islands administered the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy on 29 November 2005.Governor of Mizoram
As Governor of Mizoram Took over as Governor of Mizoram from 25 July 2006. On assuming the appointment visited all District Headquarters to familiarize himself with the problems of the people on ground.Family
The General is married to Mrs. Pushpa Lakhera, a social activist, who has taken an active part in resolving the problems of women, particularly those of the Defence Service and Ex-Service family.Dates of rank
| Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal... , Indian Army Indian Army The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... : June 1958 |
| Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... , Indian Army Indian Army The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... : Dec 1975 |
| Major-General Major-General (United Kingdom) Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general... , Indian Army Indian Army The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... : March 1990 |
| Lieutenant-General, Indian Army Indian Army The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... : September 1992 |
See also
- Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of states of IndiaGovernors and Lieutenant-Governors of states of IndiaThe Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of the states and territories of India have similar powers and functions at the state level as that of the President of India at Union level. Governors exist in the states while Lieutenant-Governors exist in union territories and in the National Capital...
- List of Governors of India
- Governors of MizoramGovernors of Mizoram-Before Mizoram became a state:S.J.Das was the chief commissioner of Mizoram from 21 January 1972 to 23 April 1972. He was followed by these Lieutenant Governors:-Governors of Mizoram:-External links:* http://mizoram.nic.in/gov/governor.htm...