New Delhi: In India, Navy Day is celebrated every year on December 4 and it recognises the Indian Navy’s achievements and role. It is celebrated on December 4 as it was on that day in 1971 that the Indian Navy destroyed four Pakistani vessels during Operation Trident and the Pakistani Navy was demolished. Among the officers who played a key role during the Operation Trident was Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani and in this article, we will take a look at his life.
Who is Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani?
Vice Admiral Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani was Indian Navy’s former flag officer who from 1987 to 1989 served as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. He was INS Rajput’s Commissioning Commanding Officer which among the Rajput class destroyers was the lead vassal. For his bravado in the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Hiranandani was awarded the Nausena Medal.
Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani and the 1971 India-Pakistan War
Born on June 29, 1931, in Karachi to a Sindhi Hindu family, Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani in 1949 joined the Royal Indian Navy. From 1949 to 1953, he trained with the Royal Navy and in 1957 received special training in Missiles and Gunnery. In 1961, he became INS Dronacharya’s Commandant and in June 1969 became the commander.
During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Hiranandani was the Western Fleet’s Fleet Operations Officer. In this role, he formulated detailed logistics and plans for important naval ventures. For his role in the planning and implementation of Operation Python and Operation Trident, he was awarded the Nau Sena Medal.
From 1968 to 1970, Hiranandani was the Deputy Director Weapons policy and tactics. While serving in that role, he acquired the missile boats used in Operation Trident and Operation Python and formed the tactics of using them in the war. While he was the Commanding officer of INS TIR, he developed ways to tow from Vizag the short range missile boats during the 1971 monsoon. These techniques were deployed in towing near Karachi harbour the missile boats and it proved to be devastating. A brilliant tactician and deep thinker, Hiranandani’s work on naval strategy is still relevant in Indian Navy’s operational maneuvers and tactical training. He held several important roles for the Indian Navy and passed away on September 1, 2009, at the age of 78.
Vice Admiral Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani, a key figure in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, played a pivotal role in Operation Trident. His strategic planning and tactical brilliance during Operation Trident and Operation Python earned him the Nau Sena Medal. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
