Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar

Vice Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM is a retired officer of the Indian Navy.[1] He served as the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. He assumed office from Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar on 30 January 2019 and served till 31 May 2021 till his retirement. He is succeeded by Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh.[2][3][4] Prior to this appointment, he served as chief of staff, Eastern Naval Command.[5]


Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar

Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Navy
Years of service1 July 1982 - 31 May 2021
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held
Battles/warsKargil War
Awards
Spouse(s)Mrs. Meena Pawar
Pawar (left) with VAdm S.N. Ghormade

Education edit

He completed his primary education at Sainik School, Korukonda. Pawar did his undergraduate studies at National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, where he was part of the 60th graduating class. At graduation, he was adjudged ‘Best all round Cadet’ during his Naval training and subsequently completed the year long Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course standing first overall. He attended the Staff Course at the Royal Naval Staff College, UK; where he was awarded the prestigious ‘Herbert Lott Prize’. He also attended College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and the National Defence College, New Delhi.[6]

Career edit

Pawar joined the Indian Navy on 1 July 82, specializing in Navigation and Direction. His sea commands include the missile boat INS Nashak, the corvette INS Kuthar and the guided missile frigate INS Talwar.[7]

Flag rank edit

On promotion to the Flag rank, he was appointed as Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) at Kochi, which is part of the Southern Naval Command. He then served as the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. He was then appointed as the last Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area where he was responsible for the security of the two important maritime states and commanded the largest fighting formation of the Indian Navy in terms of number of units. The Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Areas were then split into two and he was assigned as the first Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area.[8][9]

On promotion to vice admiral on 1 December 2015, he was appointed as the director general of Project Seabird – which was one of the largest defence infrastructure project in India which led to the creation of INS Kadamba. He then took over as the Chief of Staff at HQ Eastern Naval Command.[5]

Personal edit

An accomplished long-distance runner, the Admiral is married to Mrs Meena Pawar and they have two children.[10]

Honors and awards edit

Pawar was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in Jan 2021, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in May 2016 and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in January 2010.[11][12][13]

       
       
       
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal Samanya Seva Medal Special Service Medal
Operation Vijay Star Operation Vijay Medal Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

References edit

  1. ^ "For organizational efficiency: Maharashtra and Gujarat naval areas divided". The Economic Times. India: Indiatimes.com. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  2. ^ "Big Reshuffle in Naval Headquarters". Bharat Shakti. 29 May 2021.
  3. ^ @indiannavy (30 January 2019). "Vice Admiral MS Pawar AVSM VSM assumes charge as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) at Naval Headquarters/IHQ MoD(N) this evening" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "Vice Admiral MS Pawar, AVSM, VSM Assumes Charge as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS)". Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Vice Admiral MS Pawar Takes Over as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command". Indian Navy.
  6. ^ "Vice-Admiral MS Pawar assumes office as Chief of Staff at Eastern Naval Command". Deccan Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Rear Admiral M.S. Pawar is FOST". The Hindu. 2 September 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  8. ^ "Maharashtra Area - Change of Command of FOMA". Indian Navy. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  9. ^ "For organizational efficiency: Maharashtra and Gujarat naval areas divided". The Economic Times. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  10. ^ "VAdm MS Pawar, AVSM, VSM Biodata". Indian Navy. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-II) 2016".
  12. ^ "365 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced". Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  13. ^ "Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations". Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
Military offices
Preceded by Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
30 January 2019 – 31 May 2021
Succeeded by
New title
New office
Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area
2015 - 2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area
2014 - 2015
Succeeded by
Flag Officer Sea Training
2013 - 2014
Succeeded by