Bt Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Apr 2:
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command on Saturday. He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on January 01, 1989. In a career spanning 34 years, he has held a number of specialist, staff and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore.
The Western Naval Command is one of the three command–level formation of the Indian Navy, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. As the senior–most of the three formations, the command is responsible for the all naval forces in the Arabian Sea and western parts of the Indian Ocean and the naval establishments on the west coast of India.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, after completing his Specialisation Course in Communication and Electronic Warfare, did several appointments as a specialist onboard frontline ships. He subsequently had the privilege and opportunity of holding three extremely challenging, fulfilling and eventful commands at sea, which include, INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, INS Beas. Ashore, he has held important staff appointments at the Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Navy), headed officers training at Naval Academy and has held a diplomatic assignment overseas.
An alumnus of Royal College of Defence Studies, London, Naval War College, Goa and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, his educational accomplishments include M Phil (Defence & Strategic Studies), Masters in International Security and Strategic Studies from the Kings College, London, M.Sc (Defence & Strategic Studies), Madras University and M.Sc (Telecom) from CUSAT.
As recognition of continued performance of a high order, he has been awarded with Nau Sena Medal, commendations by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief and President’s Silver Medal at Naval Academy. He enjoys reading, swimming and golf.
