Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC is a retired officer of Indian Navy who served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command from 1 June 2016 to 30 January 2019. He took over the position from Admiral Sunil Lanba who was promoted to Chief of Naval Staff, and was succeeded by Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar.[1][2][3][4][5]


Girish Luthra

Vice Admiral Girish Luthra
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Navy
Years of serviceJune 1979 - January 2019
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands
Awards

Early life and education

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Luthra has attended the National Defence Academy, Pune; Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; and Naval War College, Newport.[6]

Biography

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Luthra was commissioned into the executive branch of the Navy in July 1979. He has commanded three warships including, INS Khukri, INS Talwar and INS Viraat. He has also served as the Navigation officer of many warships including INS Betwa, INS Dunagiri, INS Gomati and INS Viraat. His staff appointments include Deputy Naval Attaché at High Commission of India, London; Fleet Navigating Officer of Western Fleet; Command Plans Officer at HQ, Eastern Naval Command; Principal Director Naval Plans; Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans); Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet; Director General of Naval Operations; and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations). He was the FOC-in-C of Southern Naval Command before being appointed as FOC-in-C of Western Naval Command.[6][7][8]

During his career of almost four decades, he has been was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2017), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Vishisht Seva Medal for his service.

Luthra is known to be a gifted singer as well. He rendered the new version of the famous song "Ghar Se Nikalte Hi" (original artist: Amaal Malik,Arman Malik), a remake of the same from film "Papa Kehte Hain" as originally crooned by Udit Narayan, live at Western Command Golden Jubilee ceremony, garnering many views on YouTube. He has also released videos on Youtube for songs, Soch Na Sake from Airlift (original artists: Arijit Singh and Tulsi Kumar) and Nazm Nazm (original artists: Arko/Ayushmann Khurrana).

Awards and decorations

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Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal Samanya Seva Medal
Operation Vijay Medal Sainya Seva Medal 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal
20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

References

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  1. ^ "Vice Admiral Girish Luthra takes over Western Naval Command". Indian Navy. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command | Indian Navy". www.indiannavy.nic.in. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Girish Luthra to take over as chief of Western Naval Command". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P takes over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  5. ^ @indiannavy (31 January 2019). "VAdm P Ajit Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM takes over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, the premier Command of #IndianNavy in an impressive ceremony at Mumbai. Returns where he has commanded two frontline Destroyers + stealth frigate & was Chief Staff Offr (Ops)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ a b "Vice Admiral Girish Luthra named Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command". The Economic Times. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Vice Admiral Girish Luthra takes charge of Southern Naval Command". 30 January 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Vice Admiral Girish Luthra assumes Command of Southern Naval Command". Indian Navy. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
Military offices
Preceded by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command
31 May 2016 – 30 January 2019
Succeeded by
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command
2016 - 29 May 2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet
18 January 2011 - 25 May 2012
Preceded by Commanding Officer INS Viraat
15 May 2006 - 11 August 2007
Succeeded by