Mukherjee appoints Lt. Gen. (Retired) Nirbhay Sharma as next Arunachal Pradesh Governor

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Lt. Gen. (Retired) Nirbhay Sharma as the next Governor of Arunachal Pradesh.

A Rashtrapati Bhavan release said that Lt. Gen. (Retired) Sharma will be the state's governor from the date he assumes charge of his office.

A post graduate in military science and an M.Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University, Lt. Gen. (Retired) Sharma is one of the most distinguished and decorated field commanders of the Indian Army.

During his tenure in the army, most of his assignments dealt with Jammu and Kashmir and the north eastern states.

His last assignment in the army was that of being a Corps Commander and Security Advisor to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

During the period, his landmark contribution in fighting the ongoing proxy war in Kashmir, including the successful conduct of parliamentary and assembly elections are well known.

Apart from brilliantly directing anti-terrorist operations of over one lakh elements of the security force, his accomplishments include construction of anti-infiltration obstacle system along the LOC, opening the Uri-Muzaffarabad Road and the construction of 'Aman Setu'.

He had earlier raised a division during the 'Kargil War' (in record time). The concurrent conduct of disaster relief operations during the 'Snow Tsunami' and Earthquake also drew praise and recognition.

His slogan of "Jawan aur Awaam, Aman hai Mukaam" and its manifestation on ground brought in a new

approach and momentum to the ongoing peace process in Kashmir.

He took part in the 1971 War and was a part of the Airborne Assault Group, the first Indian Army Unit to enter Dacca.

Apart from commanding a battalion on the China border, he was part of the Sino-Indian Working Group and coordinated counter-insurgency operations in the North East with civil agencies and inter-ministerial delegations. The peace process with Naga rebels commenced during this period. Close interaction with the representatives of the armies and governments of Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh for effective border management and formulation of joint strategies to combat militancy, anti-national/ criminal/ hijacking activities and disaster management were also part of his charter.

As Director General (Perspective Planning) at the army headquarters, worked on the restructuring of the army headquarters and assisted in drafting 'Army Vision 2020'.

As Master General of Ordnance, his stamp of dynamism is distinctly seen in the field of material management of the 1.2 million strong Indian Army with varied and complex inventory worth over Rs. 50,000 Crores and an Annual Revenue Budget of Rs. 6000 Crores.

He has also served as a member of the Union Public Service Commission and a Distinguished Fellow at ORF's Institute of Security Studies.