New Delhi, December 31: General Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as 28th Chief of Army Staff, succeeding General Bipin Rawat who retired on Tuesday. General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who is the senior-most Army officer after General Rawat, was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980. He had assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Army on September 1. Prior to this, Naravane was heading the Army's Eastern Command.

In his 37 years of service, General Naravane has served in numerous command and staff appointments in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast. He commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Jammu and Kashmir. An awardee of the Sena Medal (Distinguished Service), Naravane had also served as defence attache at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years. Know About Illustrious Career of General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

Earlier today, General Bipin Rawat, who will take charge as India's first Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) on January 1, 2020, received a farewell Guard of Honour. In his speech, General Rawat thanked army personnel and their families for extending full support to him in his three-year tenure at the helm of the 1.3 million force. He gave best wishes to General Naravane and hoped that the Army will rise to greater heights under the new chief.

"He is a very competent and capable officer. We are confident he will prove his competence and professionalism and take the Army to even greater heights. I am confident the Indian Army will continue to rise to greater heights under his leadership. I will also support him and Indian Army will support him," he said. General Rawat added that he was obliged that the way Indian Army supported him during his three years of tenure.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2019 12:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).