On 31 May 2016, Admiral Sunil Lanba, took charge as the Chief of Naval Staff from his predecessor Admiral R.K.Dhowan, who retired after four decades of service. Admiral Lanba, was earlier the the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. His appointment as Naval Chief had been announced by the Government on 6 May 2016.
In a service spanning nearly 38 years, Admiral Lanba has served in a variety of command, operational and staff appointments. He has commanded four frontline warships — INS Kakinada (minesweeper), INS Himgiri (frigate) and destroyers INS Ranvijay and INS Mumbai.
Admiral Lanba is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of an exceptionally high order. He will have a full three-year-term as Naval Chief till May 31, 2019.
ARMY EXPEDITION SCALES MOUNT EVEREST
At dawn on 19 May 2016, Lt Col Ranveer Jamwal, the team leader of the Indian Army’s Everest Massif Expedition 2016, along with six team members successfully scaled the world’s highest peak. Earlier, on 30 March, the 30 member expedition had been flagged off by Lt Gen. M.M.S. Rai, Vice Chief of the Army Staff. This is the third time that Lt Col Jamwal has scaled Mt Everest, having accomplished this feat earlier on May 25, 2012 and on May 19, 2013.
In 2015, Lt Col Jamwal, who is a reputed climber, was at the Everest base camp when a 7.9 magnitude earthquake stuck Nepal on April 25. Twenty-two international climbers and local sherpas, lost their lives in an avalanche which struck the base camp, but the Indian Army Expedition, fortunately remained unharmed. It thereafter took control of the situation organising rescue and relief measures.
Son of a Havaldar, Jamwal had joined the army as a jawan in the Dogra Regiment. With sheer hard work and dedication, he made it to the Army Cadet College (ACC) and then was commissioned in the Jat regiment as an officer. He has the record of having led 17 climbers to Everest, including the six which scaled the peak on 19 May 2016.
