CURRICULUM VITAE
The beginning days: Born at village JAKHAND,
Patti BARJULA, tehri Garhawal on 21st OCT.1937.
Father late Shri Jaya Nand Lakhera was a pioneer in
education field in the princely State of Tehri
Garhwal. Mother late Smt.Kalawati was a house wife.
Initial education at the then Primary School at
Jakhand. Early education at Rastriya Indian Military
College (RIMC), Dehra Dun from 1949-54. Subsequently
received training at National Defence Academy
Khadakvasla, Pune and was commissioned in the Army
from Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun on 08 June
1958.
The early career in Defence: Took part in Goa
operation 1961, Indo Pakistan war 1965 & 1971 in
Jammu & Kashmir Sector. Attended Defence Services
Staff College at Wellington (South India) and Long
Gunnery Staff Course at School of Artillery. Devlali.
Also attended Senior Defence Management Course at
College of Defence Management of Secundrabad. Was
Instructor at School of Artillery 1967-70 and
subsequently at Army War 1978 - 81.
Commanded 4th Battation of the Kumaon Regiment in
Jammu & Kashmir from December 1975 to July 1978. Has
vast experience in handling counter insurgency
operation. Was Deputy Commander of a Brigade in
Manipur in 1981-82.
Few early stage achievements: On promotion to
Brigadier, took over command of a Brigade at Kanpur.
The formation took part in operation ‘Blue Star’ in
Punjab in 1984 as also provided effective aid to
Civil authority at Kanpur during 1984 riots. For his
successful handling of these operations, was awarded
Chief of Army Staff
Commendation Card twice i.e. on 15th January, 1985
and 15th August, 1985.
Kashmir experiences and award of VSM:
Subsequently held the appointment of Sub Area
Commander in Kashmir valley, where besides being
responsible for logistic support to forward troops,
was responsible for aid to civil authority in the
sensitive Kashmir valley. For his efforts in
performing multifarious tasks with sense of
dedication, compassion and rare élan as also
displaying drive, initiative, professional
competence and devotion in discharging his duty, was
awarded Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of
India on 26th January,1990.
The award of AVSM: Promoted Major General in
March 1990, was Chief of Staff of Kashmir valley
based Corps Headquarters. Was actively involved in
coordination of all counter insurgency operations
including sealing of Line of Control in Kashmir
Valley and Ladakh Sector. For his exceptional
leadership and enthusiastic involvement towards his
responsibilities beyond the call of duty, was
awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by the
President of India on 26th January, 1991.
Subsequently commanded an Infantry Division.
As Lt. General: Promoted Lt. General in
September 1992, was initially posted as Chief of
Staff of Headquarters Central Command. Besides other
operational and administrative responsibilities; in
the aftermath of Ayodhya incident in December 1992,
was responsible for coordinating ‘aid to civil
authority’ in the sensitive States of Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Subsequently was
posted as Chief of Staff of Headquarters Northern
Command which was dealing with the volatile
insurgency in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
The award of PVSM: In June, 1993, took over
Adjutant General of the Indian Army. Was actively
involved with policy framing on all aspects of
Manpower Planning & Management including Defence
civilians. As Chairman of various Welfare
Organizations of the Army, made significant
contribution in enhancing the efficiency of the
organizations. Was also Chairman of Principal
Personnel Staff Officers’ Committee of the three
services i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force. Coordinated
proposal of three services for submission to the
Fifth Pay Commission. Was also Colonel Commandant of
Kumaon Regiment. For distinguished services of most
exceptional order, was awarded Param Vishisht
Seva Medal by the President of India on 26th
January, 1995.
The better half: Wife Smt. Pushpa Lakhera,
a social activist, who has taken very active part in
resolving the problems of women specially Service
and Ex-Servicemen family.
Post Retirement: He is the ONLY OFFICER
from UTTRAKHAND to have been awarded PVSM,
AVSM, VSM and Chief of Army Staff commendation
twice. After retirement, was actively involved with
welfare activities of the public in general and
ex-servicemen in particular. Also was Chairman of
Ex-servicemen Cell of All India Congress Committee.
As the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry: Took over
as Lt. Governor and Administrator of Pondicherry
on 07 July, 2004. He is the first person from
Garhwal Division to hold a Governor’s appointment.
As the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, he carved a
niche for himself by showing exceptional leadership
and zealous involvement in gearing the Government
machinery to come to the immediate aid of the
Tsunami ravaged victims of Pondicherry region. He
personally monitored the progress of relief &
rehabilitation measures and took keen interest in
bringing about a definite and positive change in the
life of the Tsunami affected villagers.
Legislation for admission to Private Professional
Colleges: Realising the importance of regulating
admissions in Private Professional Colleges, he was
the first person to raise the subject matter in the
Governor’s Conference held in June 2005, bringing to
the attention of the august gathering the obligation
on the part of the Central Government to bring about
a Central Legistation for regulating admissions in
Private Professional Colleges much before it caught
the attention of the entire Nation after the
Judgement of the Supreme Court doing away with the
State Quota in Private Professional Colleges.
As the Lt. Governor of A & N Islands: Was
appointed as the Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicober
Islands on additional charge and was administered
the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy on 29th
November, 2005 as the ninth Lt. Governor of the A &
N Islands.
Soon after assuming Office of the Lt. Governor of A
& N Islands, on additional charge basis, he made
whirlwind tour to all Islands of the archipelago to
gather first hand information on the progress of
Tsunami rehabilitation & reconstruction works. He
pursued the review of Tsunami Rehabilitation Works
with the same vigour and vitality as was done in
Pondicherry.
This apart, a series of meetings were held during
each visit to the Islands with all concerned to
accelerate the various developmental activities in
the Islands. Emphasized the significance of
improving the communication facilities between the
Islands and the Mainland in the Plan Review Meeting
with the Planning Commission.
The importance to infrastructure development:
His personal intervention in expediting the
clearances for a number of projects relating to
Infrastructural Developments in U.T of Pondicherry
and Andaman & Nicober Islands have borne fruit with
a majority of the projects getting the approval of
Govt. of India. These projects, once completed will
put both Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicober Islands
on the fast track path to economic prosperity.
Significant incidents during the tenure: His
tenure in Pondicherry witnessed the conduct of
Panchayat and Municipal Elections after a span of 38 long years. The
elections to the 12th Legislative Assembly of Pondicherry was also held during his tenure in a
free & fair manner without any incident.
The accolades: His dedicated commitment to the
cause of the welfare of people, his disciplined
approach to work & governance and his proactive
style of functioning has won him much accolades from
Pondicherry as well as Andaman & Nicober Islands.
As Governor of Mizoram: Took over as Governor
of Mizoram from 25th July 2006. On assuming the
appointment visited all District Headquarters to
familiarize himself with the problems of the people
on ground.
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