K. V. Krishna Rao

General Kotikalapudi Venkata Krishna Rao PVSM, better known as K. V. Krishna Rao (July 16, 1923 – January 30, 2016), was a former Chief of the Indian Army and a former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura. He was governor of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time from July 11, 1989 to January 19, 1990 and the second time from March 13, 1993 till May 2, 1998.

Gen. Rao was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1942. During the 1971 war, his division captured the Sylhet area and liberated north-east Bangladesh. He retired as Chief of the Army Staff in 1983 and was appointed Governor of Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura in June 1984, leaving all of these posts by the time of his transfer to Kashmir in 1990.

General K. V. Krishna Rao was born on July 16, 1923. He is the son of K. S. Narayan Rao and Mrs. K. Lakshmi Rao of Vijayawada. He is married to K. Radha Rao and has one son, Narayan and one daughter, Lalitha. General K. V. Krishna Rao was commissioned into the Indian Army on August 9, 1942. As a young Officer, he served in Burma, North West Frontier and Baluchistan during the Second World War. During the extensive Punjab disturbances in 1947, he served both in East and West Punjab.

He participated in the first war against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, 1947-48. He was a founder Instructor of the National Defence Academy during 1949-51. Subsequently, he graduated from the Defence Services Staff College of Wellington and served as a General Staff Officers Grade 2, in the Army Headquarters, New Delhi during 1952-55. He commanded a Battalion in Jammu and Kashmir during 1956-59. Thereafter, he served as a General Staff Officer Grade-1 of a Division in the Jammu Region during 1960-63. He was a member of the Faculty of the Defence Service Staff College during 1963-65.

General Krishna Rao commanded a Brigade in the forward area of Ladakh during 1965-66, when he dealt with both Chinese and Pakistani threats. He was selected for and did a course at the Imperial Defence College (now Royal college of Defence Studies) London in 1967-68. He visited Europe, USA, Canada and USSR on training assignments. On return to India, he served as Deputy Director Military Operations at Army Headquarters during 1968-69. He was promoted to the rank of Major General and commanded an Infantry Division in the Jammu Region during 1969-70. Thereafter, he commanded a Mountain Division engaged in Counter Insurgency Operations in Nagaland and Manipur during 1970-72. During this period his Division also participated in the 1971 War against Pakistan in the East. His Division captured the Sylhet Area and liberated North East Bangladesh.

He was awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal (the Award for distinguished services of the most exceptional order) for displaying outstanding leadership, courage, determination and drive during this War. He was then sent to the Western Sector, where he served as Chief of Staff, Western Command during 1972-74, during which period disengagement with Pakistani troops was carried out and fresh plans were made against likely adventures by Pakistan. General Krishna Rao was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and commanded the largest corps (XVI Corps) in the Jammu Region from 1974-78. In addition, during 1975-76, he was also the Chairman of the Expert Committee constituted by the Government on Re-organisation and Modernisation for future defence of the country. Later, he served as Deputy Chief of Army Staff at Army Headquarters during 1978-79. Subsequently he was promoted and served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the reputed Western Command during 1979-81.

General Krishna Rao was appointed as Chief of Army Staff on June 1, 1981, and served in that capacity till July 1983. He was also Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the highest appointment in the Services, during March 1982 – July 1983. His services and leadership were warmly appreciated by the Prime Minister and the Government.

From June 1984 to July 1989, General Krishna Rao was the Governor of the North Eastern States of Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura. He was also the Governor of Mizoram in June 1988 and March to July 1989. He was Chancellor of the Manipur and Tripura Universities. He was Chairman of the North East Zone Culture Centre. In his capacity of Governor of the North Eastern States, he ensured that peace was brought about and maintained, and that the Tripura Agreement was concluded.

General Krishna Rao was the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during 1989-90. He was Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, University of Jammu and Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Research. He was also Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. When a Proxy War developed in Jammu and Kashmir and reached its peak, he was reappointed as Governor and served there from March 12, 1993 to May 1, 1998. In this capacity, he was instrumental in restoring peace and democracy in the insurgency-riven State after a long gap of seven years.

During his service, General Krishna Rao also held numerous other responsibilities. He was Colonel of the Mahar Regiment during 1968-83. As Chief of Army Staff, he was also Colonel of 61 Cavalry, Honorary Colonel of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment and the Brigade of the Guards and colonel-in-Chief of the National Cadet Corps. After relinquishing Colonelcy of the Mahar Regiment, he was appointed as Honorary Colonel of the Regiment. He was made Honorary General of the Royal Nepalese Army. He was Principal Honorary Army ADC to the President. He was President Equestrian Federation of India and Deputy Chairman of the Special Organising Committee of the Asiad’82. He was Patron Indian Ex-Services League, United Service Institution of India and National Adventure Foundation. He visited several countries in the West and the East on different assignments.

General Krishna Rao was conferred the Honorary Doctorate of D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) by the Andhra University, Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by Sri Venkateswara University and Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) (Honoris Causa) by the Telugu University.

He is a Life Member of the India International Centre, New Delhi, National Sports Club of India, New Delhi, Defence Services Officers Institute, New Delhi, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, Divine Life Society and Secunderabad Club. He played Cricket and Golf. His hobbies include photography, gardening and social welfare.

Krishna Rao died January 30, 2016 in New Delhi.

• 1991 – Prepare or Perish – A Study of National Security - (Lancer Publishers, New Delhi)
• 2001 – In the Service of the Nation – Reminiscences - (Penguin Books Ltd.)
• 2011- Invincibility, challenges and Leadership - (Orient Black Swan Ltd.)