B. S. Raju
- Ram Nath Kovind
- Droupadi Murmu
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Indian Military Training Team
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Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Yudh Seva Medal
Lieutenant General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM (born 19 October 1963) is a retired general officer of the Indian Army. He last served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Command. He earlier served as the 44th Vice Chief of the Army Staff and as the Director General Military Operations (DGMO).[2][3][4]
He had been the 49th Commander of the XV Corps (Chinar Corps) from 1 March 2020 to 17 March 2021, assuming the post from Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon. Before taking over the charge of the Chinar Corps, he served as the Director General of Staff Duties. He is also the Colonel of the Jat Regiment since 1 February 2021 after taking over from Lieutenant General S K Saini, the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
He was appointed as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 29 April, 2022. He took charge on 1 May 2022 succeeding General Manoj Pande (then Lt General) on his elevation.[5]
Early life and education
Raju was born in Davanagere district, in a Lingayat family which traces its origin to Baggavalli village near Ajjampura in Chikmagalur district.[6] Raju is an alumnus of Sainik School, Bijapur,[7] and the National Defence Academy, Pune.
He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington[8] and the Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom.[9] He also attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he completed his Masters program in Counter Terrorism.[10]
He is married to Shakunthala Raju, also from Karnataka, and the couple have a son and daughter.
Career
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Raju was commissioned in December 1984 in the 11th battalion, the Jat Regiment (11 Jat). He later commanded 15th Battalion, the Jat Regiment (15 JAT). He has served as an Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and at the Army War College, Mhow. In staff appointments, he has served as the brigade major of an infantry brigade and as the Colonel Military Secretary (Legal) at Army HQ.
After being promoted to the rank of brigadier, he was appointed commander of the Uri Brigade in August 2011. He commanded the brigade till 30 December 2012.[11] He subsequently served as the Brigadier General Staff (BGS) at HQ XVI Corps and as the Deputy Director General Military Operations (DDGMO) and Director General Staff Duties at Army HQ.
General officer
The General Officer served as Commandant, Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan prior to assuming command of XV Corps. He has an incisive understanding of Jammu and Kashmir, as he has served in Kashmir for five tenures since 1984.
Victor Force Commander
Lt Gen B S Raju commanded the elite Counter Insurgency Force in troubled times from 28 March 2017 to 1 April 2018 post elimination of Burhan Wani, the poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen. It was during this period only that a blooming footballer Majid Khan who had treaded the path of terrorism was given opportunity to return to mainstream and he had surrendered.[12][13] As a Force Commander he oversaw the successful operation in which the killers of Lt Umar Fayaz were eliminated in South Kashmir[14][15]
XV Corps Commander
He was the General Officer Commanding of the XV Corps', or 15 Corps, also known as Chinar Corps Indian Army,[16] a Corps of the Indian Army which is presently located in Srinagar and responsible for military operations in the Kashmir Valley.
Human Approach Operation
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While Commanding Counter Insurgency Force (Victor) in troubled time of 2017–2018, he built a reputation of a man giving respect to human values and had a deep sense of belonging with the locals. While taking over, he emphasised that "The Army is a friend of every civilian and that message has been conveyed aptly by my predecessor. My every attempt would be to continue this practice".[17][18][19]
Facilitate Return of Local Terrorist from Path of Terrorism
Lt Gen B S Raju's key focus is to allow those who have picked up arms to surrender and join the mainstream.[20][21][22][23][24][25] It has greatly helped the youth who have gone "astray" to come back & with recruitment fairly lowest in last decade has resulted in substantial reduction in number of terrorist operating in Kashmir. With people as the centre of gravity, all his efforts are being directed in that direction during his command of prestigious XV Corps of Indian Army. Lt Gen B S Raju had underlined numerous times that the army is working more on ensuring surrender rather than going for straight neutralisation.[26][27][28][29][30]
India, Pakistan Agree to Observe Ceasefire along LoC
On 25 February 2021 India Pakistan agreed to stand by the Ceasefire Agreement of 2003, which was a welcome move across both the borders. Guns will remain silent and locals living across the border will get a chance to live their normal lives, which was hampered by numerous cease fire violations in the past. Lt Gen B S Raju also welcomed the move and commented that observing ceasefire is in interest of both India and Pakistan, and need of hour and he wants this truce to work.[31][32]
Message to Youth of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
During one of the interview, Lt Gen B S Raju gave a message to youth of Kashmir.[33][34][35][36] He amply conveyed to the youth that even if they have drifted from the mainstream society and have picked up arms, they will still be taken care of. He told that even during operations any youth can come back and we will help him in joining mainstream. "My main message to youth - is you can get back and we will take care of you. In the last six months, seventeen of those who had strayed have come back and we will take care of them. My appeal to the youth who have gone astray is to come back. They can get back anytime, including during operations. They can call anybody, their parents, our helpline[37][38][39] and we will organise their return," he said. Again on 7 July 2020, Lt Gen Raju was quoted where he said, "As I said, every loss of life is unfortunate. We don't want to kill militants, we give them an opportunity to surrender."
A Day with Company Commander
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Under Lt Gen B S Raju the Indian Army started "A Day with Company Commander",[40][41] which proved to be a very innovative and successful model for the Soldier-Citizen connect. The intent is to break the barriers between soldier and the new generation. The need that the new generation should get a different experience than of the so-called Generation of Rage, because they experienced terrorism and its pitfalls for last thirty years. Hence 'day with company commander' came to give the feeling of a friendly next door neighbour and humsaya. This phenomenon became very popular across Kashmir and is being replicated at all the Company Operating Bases.[42][43] Not only the boys but girls have also participated in these events in great numbers.
Chinar Corps Helpline
It was during Lt Gen B S Raju's tenure as a Corps Commander that Chinar Corps established a Feedback & Grievances Helpline (9484101010)[44][45][46] for the population of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. While inaugurating the helpline, Lt Gen B S Raju stressed that "Helpline number has been started to strengthen connectivity between people, Army in J-K." This helpline is also accessible through Telegram messaging app. This helpline over the time has proved its worth and receives hundreds of phone calls and has become a true "Madadgar" for the Awam of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Khairiyat Patrol
In order to assist the locals residing in remote areas Indian Army conducts Khairiyat Patrols,[47][48] during Lt Gen B S Raju's tenure this cause got a special impetus in view of the COVID-19 challenges. During the patrol, the Army reached out to Awam to know about their well-being and provided medical attention to those in need.[49]
Sports and Cultural Outreach Programs
In an effort to strike a common chord with the local population Indian Army facilitates conduct of sports and cultural programs in J&K. To extend the reach of the activities Lt B S Gen Raju pushed for games at village level[50][51] which are being conducted across Kashmir valley. The village games were rustic games that were popular with the locals of the region and rejuvenated rural games. More than 100 such events were conducted in which more than 6000 children participated. The hardy youth of the higher reaches showed great enthusiasm for such events.[52][53]
Running of Army Goodwill School
The inclusion of digital learning in Army Goodwill Schools[54] empowers the students by getting them to become more interested in learning and expanding their horizon. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd in continuation to its CSR sponsorship for 'Digitization of the Army Goodwill Schools' has sponsored 10 more schools for digitization.[55][56][57] This project was executed by iDream Social Edtech Foundation. The digitization has bought the AGSs at par with the best schools anywhere in the country. Teachers and students of these schools now have the access to the best instructional material in their tablets. The results of AGSs in 10th and 12th Board exams have been improving every year. In fact, it is one of the best in the UT of J & K and now it would further improve the teaching-learning methods, to the benefit of the students of these schools. This initiative of Power Grid Cooperation of India Limited towards making a difference to the lives of Kashmiri students, mostly from under privileged section, is praise worthy and it fructified under the command of Lt Gen B S Raju.
Awards and decorations
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Dates of rank
Insignia | Rank | Component | Date of rank |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Second Lieutenant | Indian Army | 15 December 1984[58] |
![]() | Lieutenant | Indian Army | 7 September 1986 15 December 1986 (substantive)[59] |
![]() | Captain | Indian Army | 7 July 1989 15 December 1989 (substantive)[60] |
![]() | Major | Indian Army | 15 December 1995[61] |
![]() | Lieutenant Colonel | Indian Army | 11 July 2001 16 December 2004 (substantive)[62] |
![]() | Colonel | Indian Army | 1 April 2006[63] |
![]() | Brigadier | Indian Army | 13 June 2011 (acting) 30 December 2011 (substantive, with seniority from 6 April 2010)[64] |
![]() | Major General | Indian Army | 27 March 2017 (seniority from 1 February 2015)[65] |
![]() | Lieutenant General | Indian Army | 14 November 2019[66] |
References
- ^ https://www.deccanherald.com/india/lt-gen-b-s-raju-retires-as-western-command-goc-in-chief-2750448
- ^ "Lt Gen Raju to be new chief of 15 Corps". The Weekend Leader. Press Trust of India. 14 February 2020.
- ^ "Lt General BS Raju to be new DGMO, hands over command of XV 'Chinar' Corps to Lt General DP Pandey". Times Now. Press Trust of India. 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Lt General BS Raju to be new DGMO, hands over command of Chinar Corps to Lt General DP Pandey". Greater Kashmir. Press Trust of India. 17 March 2021.
- ^ "LIEUTENANT GENERAL BAGGAVALLI SOMASHEKAR RAJU TO TAKE OVER AS VICE CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF ON 01 MAY 2022" (Press release). PIB. 29 April 2022.
- ^ "Karnataka officer is commander of Chinar Corps". The New Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 3 March 2020.
- ^ "Proud Moment for Sainik School Bijapur". Facebook. Facebook. 17 December 2020.
- ^ "Defence Services Staff College". Defence Services Staff College. 3 March 2020.
- ^ "Karnataka officer is commander of Chinar Corps". Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Naval Postgraduate School". Naval Postgraduate School.
- ^ "People nurturing separatist feelings have been shown door: Lt. Gen. Raju". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 1 March 2020.
- ^ "100 militants active in south Kashmir, operations on to neutralise them". The Economic Times. Press Trust of India. 13 May 2017.
- ^ "Majid Khan, footballer-turned-Lashkar terrorist, returns to Kashmir home". The Financial Express. Press Trust of India. 17 November 2017.
- ^ "He is a hero, top army commander tells Umar Fayaz's family". The Economic Times. Press Trust of India. 13 May 2017.
- ^ Uri, Jammu and Kashmir
- ^ "Chinar Corps on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ "People nurturing separatist feelings have been shown door: Lt Gen BS Raju". Outlook. 1 March 2020.
- ^ "Lt-Gen Raju assumes charge of 15 Corps". The Tribune. 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Govt working on surrender policy for Kashmir youth joining terror groups". ThePrint. 16 October 2020.
- ^ "We don't want to kill militants, opportunity to surrender given: Lt Gen B S Raju". 7 July 2020.
- ^ "Those Youth Who Want To Shun The Path Of Militancy Are Welcome, Says Lt Gen BS Raju". 26 October 2020.
- ^ "'Contact tracing' helping Army wean youths away from terrorism: Lt Gen Raju". The Hindu. 13 September 2020.
- ^ "We call their family members if their identity is established". Twitter. 17 January 2021.
- ^ "Army draws up new rehabilitation policy for Kashmiri terrorists". 16 October 2020.
- ^ "'Situation improved in Kashmir, use it': Lt Gen BS Raju urges youth who picked up arms in J&K to come back". 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Rehab policy for Kashmiri youth joining terror in the works: senior Army officer". The Hindu. 16 October 2020.
- ^ "Shun path of terrorism and surrender: Lieutenant General B S Raju urges youth in J&K". 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Top Army, police officials review security arrangements in J&K in view of upcoming panchayat polls". 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Army reviews security situation in Kashmir ahead of first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370". The Times of India. 3 August 2020.
- ^ "Those youth who want to shun the path of militancy are welcome, says Lt Gen B S Raju". ANI. 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Ceasefire need of the hour... desirable for both India, Pak". Hindustan Times. Press Trust of India. 4 March 2021.
- ^ "India-Pak ceasefire is positive step; we want this truce to work". 4 March 2021.
- ^ "युवाओं को न भटकनें दें राह, परिजनों तक संदेश पहुंचा रही सेना". 14 September 2020.
- ^ "'Contact tracing' helping Army wean youths away from terrorism." The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Those youth who want to shun the path of militancy are welcome". Yahoo! Finance. 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Ceasefire need of the hour... desirable for both India, Pak". 2 January 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Army sets up feedback and grievance helpline". Tribune. Press Trust of India. 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Helpline number to strengthen connectivity between people, Army in J-K". ZEE5. 2 January 2021.
- ^ "We don't want to kill militants, opportunity to surrender given". 7 July 2020.
- ^ "Army begins public outreach program A day with company commander in Baramulla". The Economic Times. Press Trust of India. 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Army begins public outreach program 'A day with company commander' in J&K's Baramulla". 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Army begins public outreach program 'A day with company commander' in J&K's Baramulla". 27 February 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "'A Day with Company Commander' initiative boosts civil-military relations in Kashmir". Yahoo. 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Army sets up 'feedback and grievances' helpline in Kashmir". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Army Sets Up 'Feedback And Grievances' Helpline in Kashmir to Strengthen Bond With Locals". 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Army sets up feedback and grievance helpline". Tribune. 2 January 2021.
- ^ "बर्फीले इलाकों में लोगों की खैरियत पूछ रही सेना, मुश्किलों को दूर करने के लिए छेड़ा खैरियत पेट्रोल अभियान". 11 December 2020.
- ^ "Indian Army organised Medical Aid tour 'Khairiyat Patrol' at Chak Kigam Kashmir". 17 December 2020.
- ^ "Indian Army's efforts towards obtaining normalcy in the valley". 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Army organizes Village Games competitions in Mawer village". 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Village Games Organized in Gurez Valley". 4 July 2020.
- ^ "Village Games Festival organised in Vilgam". 13 January 2021.
- ^ "Village Games Organized in Gurez Valley". 4 July 2020.
- ^ "Army Goodwill School". Army Goodwill Schools.
- ^ "Army Goodwill schools in J&K get digitized classrooms". DD News.
- ^ "Power Grid corps to digitise 5 AGSs in J&K". Greater Kashmir. 30 January 2018.
- ^ ""AGSs to be digitised"".
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 17 December 1988. p. 1854.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 10 June 1989. p. 801.
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External links
Media related to Baggavalli Somashekar Raju at Wikimedia Commons
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by | General Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Command 1 March 2023 - 31 October 2023 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by Manoj Pande | Vice Chief of the Army Staff 1 May 2022 - 1 March 2023 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by Paramjit Singh Sangha | Director General Military Operations 18 March 2021 - 30 April 2022 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by | General Officer Commanding XV Corps 1 March 2020 - 17 March 2021 | Succeeded by |