Dewan Rabindranath Soni

Last updated


D R Soni

DR Soni GOC.jpg
AllegianceFlag of India.svg  India
Service/branchFlag of Indian Army.svg  Indian Army
Years of serviceJune 1979 - September 2018
Rank Lieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg Lieutenant General
Service number IC-35987P
Unit Central India Horse
Commands held IA Southern Command.svg Southern Command
IA Training Command.jpg Army Training Command
X Corps
47 Armoured Regiment
Awards Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Vishisht Seva Medal
Spouse(s)Colonel Suman Soni (retd.)

Lieutenant General Dewan Rabindranath Soni, PVSM, VSM is a former General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command of the Indian Army. He served in office from 1 December 2017 till 30 September 2018. He assumed the post after Lieutenant General P M Hariz retired and was succeeded by Lt General Satinder Kumar Saini. [1] [2]

Contents

Education and personal life

Soni is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. In addition, he attended the Junior Command, Senior Command and Higher Command Courses at Army War College, Mhow; the Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; and the Combat Group Commanders Course at Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar. He also has a master's degree in Global Security from Cranfield University and attended the Defence College of Management and Technology, Shrivenham in the United Kingdom. [1] [3] [4] [5]

He is a sportsman and likes golf and tennis. He is married to Colonel Suman Soni (retd.), who served in the Army as a gynecologist for twenty-two years. [4] [5]

Career

Soni was commissioned into the Central India Horse, a tank regiment of the Indian Army, in June 1979. Later, he was transferred to the 47 Armoured Regiment on its raising in 1983. He has commanded an armoured brigade; an armoured division; 47 armoured Regiment (July 1999 - December 2001), X Corps (Bhatinda) (18 June 2015 – 16 September 2016) and GOC-in-C, Army Training Command (17 September 2016 – 30 November 2017). He has held various staff appointments including Brigade Major of an armoured brigade; Colonel Administration of a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir, and Colonel General Staff of a Mountain Division in the Eastern Sector. He was also deputed as a military observer in Iraq and Kuwait after the Gulf War. [1] [3] [4] [ dead link ] [6]

During 39 years of his career, he has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2018), Vishisht Seva Medal (2015), the Chief of the Army Staff’s Commendation Card and the Commendation Card of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Western Command. [1] [7] [8]

Lt. Gen. Soni retired on September 30, 2018, and was succeeded as the GOC-in-C of the Southern Command by Lt. Gen. S.K. Saini. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Campose</span> Lieutenant General, Indian Army

Lieutenant General Philip Campose, PVSM, AVSM & Bar, VSM was the Vice Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army and assumed office on 1 August 2014 succeeding General Dalbir Singh. He retired on 31 July 2015 and was succeeded by Lieutenant General Man Mohan Singh Rai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Praveen Bakshi</span> Lieutenant General, Indian Army

Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC was the 25th General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command of the Indian Army and assumed office on 1 August 2015 after Lieutenant General Man Mohan Singh Rai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamal Jit Singh</span> Retired Lieutenant General, Indian Army

Lieutenant General Kamal Jit Singh, PVSM, AVSM & Bar is a retired Indian Army officer and former general officer commanding-in-chief of Western Command. After retirement, he was conferred with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair of Excellence in Punjab University. and was appointed as Advisor to CM Haryana in November 2018. He graduated from the National Defence Academy, and attended various staff courses in training academies of the Indian Army throughout the country. Singh worked closely with UN Peacekeeping forces stationed in Angola and was commended by the chief and UN Force Commander during his tenure. He held several appointments as commanding officer and also staff appointments at the headquarters of the Indian Army. He has been twice awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. In 2019, Singh was appointed as State Information Commissioner and was inducted into Chandigarh Advisory Council. He was nominated as Chairman of Education Standing Committee of UT Advisory Council in 2022. He was awarded Ph D in Defence Studies in Oct 2023. He was conferred with designation of Honorary Professor in PU in Sep 23 and as Prof of Practice in Chandigarh University in Oct 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devraj Anbu</span> Indian Army general

Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, ADC is a retired general officer of the Indian Army who served as 39th Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS). He assumed office on 1 June 2018 following the retirement of Lieutenant General Sarath Chand, and retired on 31 August 2019. He also served as General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command from 1 December 2016 to 31 May 2018, prior to that commanding Northern Command, he had commanded IV Corps in the North East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abhay Krishna</span>

Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC is a retired officer of Indian Army. He served as General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command from 1 October 2018 following the retirement of Lieutenant General Balwant Singh Negi, to 30 September 2019. He was succeeded by Lieutenant General Iqroop Singh Ghuman. Prior to that, he commanded the Eastern Command and South Western Command of the Indian Army

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surinder Singh (general)</span>

Lieutenant General Surinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM & Bar, VSM is a retired officer of Indian Army who served as General Officer Commander-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Western Command. He took office of the Chairman, Punjab Public Service Commission on 21 August 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pattiarimal Mohamadali Hariz</span> Former General Officer Commander-in-Chief, Southern Command of the Indian Army

Lieutenant General Pattiarimal Mohamadali Hariz, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC is the former General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Southern Command of the Indian Army and served in office from 1 September 2016 to 30 November 2017. He assumed the post from General Bipin Rawat and was succeeded by Dewan Rabindranath Soni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man Mohan Singh Rai</span> Indian Army general

Lieutenant General Man Mohan Singh Rai, PVSM, AVSM, VSM was the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army and assumed office on 1 August 2015 following the retirement of Lieutenant General Philip Campose. He retired on 31 July 2016 and was succeeded by General Bipin Rawat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manoj Mukund Naravane</span> 28th Chief of the Army Staff (India)

General Manoj Mukund Naravane, is a retired Indian Army General who served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), as well as the temporary Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from 15 December 2021 until his superannuation on 30 April 2022. He took over as COAS from General Bipin Rawat on 31 December 2019. Prior to his appointment as the COAS, the general officer served as the 40th Vice Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Eastern Command and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army Training Command. He also served as General Officer Commanding II Corps and also as General Officer Commanding Delhi Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amarjeet Singh Bedi</span> Indian Army general

Lieutenant General Amarjeet Singh Bedi PVSM UYSM, YSM, VSM is a former Commander of the IV Corps of the Indian Army and assumed office on 25 November 2016. He assumed the post from Lt General Devraj Anbu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iqroop Singh Ghuman</span>

Lieutenant General Iqroop Singh Ghuman, PVSM, AVSM, ADC is a commissioned officer of the Indian Army. He was the General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command of the Indian Army. He took office on 2 October when Lt Gen Abhay Krishna retired.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranbir Singh (general)</span> Indian Army general

Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, PVSM, AVSM & Bar, YSM, SM, ADC is a former General Officer in the Indian Army. He last served as the General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Northern Command. He assumed office on 1 June 2018 from Lt Gen Devraj Anbu who assumed the office of Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He was the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army during the 2016 Indian Line of Control strike & during the 2015 Indian counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar he was Additional Director General of Military Operations (ADGMO). He was considered the face of the operations because he briefed the media after both the strikes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satish Dua</span> Indian Army

Lieutenant General Satish Dua, PVSM, UYSM, SM, VSM is a retired General Officer of Indian Army. He served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) of the Indian Armed Forces and the Former 15 Corps in Kashmir. The General Officer was the Kashmir Corps Commander during the 'surgical strike' in September 2016. He was the Colonel of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satinder Kumar Saini</span> Indian Army general

Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM, ADC was the 41st Vice Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army and assumed the office on 25 January 2020. He previously served as General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C) Southern Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yenduru Venkata Krishna Mohan</span>

Lieutenant General Yenduru Venkata Krishna Mohan, AVSM, SM, VSM is a retired Indian Army general who last served as the Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College. He previously served as the Commander, IX Corps of the Indian Army. He assumed the post after Lt. General Satinder Kumar Saini took over as the GOC-in-C, Southern Command.

Lieutenant General Ravendra Pal Singh PVSM, AVSM, VSM is a former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Western Command of the Indian Army. He assumed office on 1 August 2019, succeeding Gen Surinder Singh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manoj Pande</span> 29th Chief of the Army Staff (India)

General Manoj Pande, is a retired four star general officer of the Indian Army. He last served as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff. He previously served as 43rd Vice Chief of the Army Staff, prior to that he was General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command and also as the Commander-in-Chief (CINCAN) of Andaman and Nicobar Command. He also served as General Officer Commanding IV Corps, before assuming the appointment as commander of Gajraj Corps he was serving as the Chief of Staff, Southern Command. He is the first officer from the Corps of Engineers to become the Army Chief.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manjinder Singh (general)</span> Lieutenant General in the Indian Army

Lieutenant general Manjinder Singh, AVSM,YSM, VSM is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He currently serves as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Command. He previously held the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Army Training Command. He earlier served as the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff at HQ IDS, prior to this he was General Officer Commanding XVI Corps. He also served as Chief of Staff of the Western Command. The general officer is also the COLONEL of THE MADRAS REGIMENT since 01 Jan 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. V. Suchindra Kumar</span> Indian Army General

Lieutenant General M. V. Suchindra Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, YSM & bar, VSM is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He is currently the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command. He previously served as the 45th Vice Chief of the Army Staff, prior to that he was Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Strategy) and General Officer Commanding XVI Corps.

Lieutenant General Lakshman Singh Rawat, PVSM, AVSM was a General Officer in the Indian Army. He last served as the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, from 1987 to 1988. His son General Bipin Rawat was India's first Chief of the Defence Staff and was the 26th Chief of the Army Staff.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Lt Gen Soni takes over as chief of Southern Command". The Indian Express. 2 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  2. "Lt Gen Saini takes charge as head of Southern Command". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Lieutenant General D.R. Soni". SP's Military Year Book. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Official Website of the Indian Army".
  5. 1 2 "Lt Gen Soni is GOC-in-Chief of ARTRAC". The Tribune. 18 September 2016. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  6. "Lt Gen Soni takes command of Chetak Corps".
  7. "Ashok Chakra Awarded to NK Neeraj Kumar Singh of 13 Rajputana Rifles (Posthumous) 374 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced". pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  8. "Press Information Bureau". www.pib.nic.in. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  9. "Lt. Gen. Saini takes charge of Southern Command". The Times of India. October 2018.
Military offices
Preceded by General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command
1 December 2017 - 30 September 2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Army Training Command
17 September 2016 – 30 November 2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by General Officer Commanding X Corps
18 June 2015 – 16 September 2016
Succeeded by
P C Thimmaya