Change of Guard at K&K Sub-Area | Venugopal GOC, Pradhan Heads for Mhow

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: Maj Gen Ashoka Kumar Pradhan, the man who unleashed a silent revolution in Indian Army, by inspiring his men through a slew of HR-centric measures is bidding goodbye to Karnataka. Pradhan, currently the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Head Quarters, Karnataka and Kerala (K&K) Sub-Area, will hand over the baton to Maj Gen K S Venugopal.
Army sources told Express on Wednesday that Venugopal had till recently handled the operations and logistics of the India Army at the Southern Command. The man of the moment touched down in Bangalore on Wednesday and will take over the reins of K&K Sub-Area on March 9 at ceremonial event. Pradhan will move to the prestigious Infantry School in Mhow (Madhya Pradesh) as the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor.
Venugopal, an alumni of the National Defence Academy, joined the Army in 1976 and took part in a number of counter-insurgency operations over the years. A recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Venugopal comes with loads of expertise executing numerous critical missions and projects for the Army.
Pradhan, the first Major General of K&K Sub-Area, is being credited with many initiatives that set new benchmarks for the welfare of troops. “His biggest weapon is patience and won many 'battles' and hearts by being a down-to-earth soldier. We were given absolute freedom, and he set himself high standards of integrity. Welfare of Ex-Servicemen was paramount and he kept reminding every solider that they too will join the ranks of retired men one day,”a senior serving official with K&K Sub-Area said.
While it is seldom that a serving official gets such accolades in the Army, considering the highly politicised set-up within the ranks and among the units, Pradhan executed most of his missions as a silent soldier. In a recent interaction with Express, Pradhan had said: “If you want your troops to follow you, then you will have to be closer to them.”

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

GUNS 'N' ROSES: Army attempts to capture gen-next jawans' emotions | Men, not machines behind missions matter the most: Maj Gen Pradhan

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The new-age Indian Army has arrived. Loaded with upgraded thoughts and philosophies, they are now treading new terrains singing a soothing mantra for its mighty men and their minds. Emotions are valued and kept under check, not through circulars or screaming sessions, but by letting it flow. At the right time, the right way, with the right person.

In his first ever one-to-one, granted ahead of the Army Day and Investiture Ceremony on January 15 in Bangalore, Major General A K Pradhan, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka & Kerala Sub-Area, Indian Army, was candid with Express. “Transformation of a solider is the key and the best time is during training. Emotions vary from one person to person and place to place. My officers can handle the troops emotionally well, when they are aware of his jawans' traditions and cultures. Hence, the gen-next Army is not only about technology, strategies, weapons and battle-lines. It's also about love, care and that extra-bit each officer can give to his men,” Pradhan said.

While it's easier said than done to implement this inspiring guns 'n' roses philosophy in a mammoth Army as India's, with a heavy dose of hierarchy running from top to bottom, Pradhan says  the Army is committed towards its mind-mission.  “We firmly believe that it is not the gun, but it is the men behind the gun that matters. Sensible human resources is the key.  We have to strike an emotional bonding with all our foot soldiers, at all times,” Pradhan said.

When specifically asked whether the Army hierarchy will bend to school the new thought-process, Pradhan, with 34 years of Service and swearing by his parent 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) – an Infantry Battalion, said: “We have no religion and we practice the religion of  our troops. We have already increased the interactions between the officers and jawans. We have opened new channels of communication. Now, a jawan can directly telephone his Commanding Officer, something we haven't seen during our times. Army needs hierarchy, but we need our jawans too. Times are changing.”

Interestingly, Express could correlate with Pradhan's comments to Army Chief Gen V K Singh, who is being quoted in the latest issue of an official, restricted Ministry of Defence publication. “We have undertaken better management and prompt attendance of grievances by units\formations. Stress management capsules are being conducted at various levels. Training in relaxation, including yoga, meditation, pranayam are being held. Units and individuals are being rotated to minimise exposure to stress," says the Army Chief.

|Copyright@The New Indian Express|