Sureesh Mehta

Sureesh Mehta
Admiral Sureesh Mehta
Born	August 18, 1947
Allegiance	India
Service/branch	Indian Navy
Years of service	July 1967 – 31 August 2009
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee Flag Officer
Awards	Ati Vishist Seva Medal Param Vishist Seva Medal

Admiral Sureesh Mehta (born August 18, 1947) served as Chief of the Indian Navy from 31 October 2006 until 31 August 2009. He was succeeded by Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma. He is the first service chief from India's armed forces to be born post Indian Independence. He is married to Maria Teresa Mehta and they have two children.

Early life

Admiral Mehta was born on 18 August 1947. He studied in the National Defence Academy before joining the Indian Navy. Later, he also graduated from the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College.

Military career

After graduating, Admiral Mehta joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Indian Navy, where he flew the Hawker Sea Hawk off the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. He served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) from 30 September 2005 till his appointment as the Naval Chief. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) on 28 September 2007.

Awards and distinctions

In 1995, Admiral Mehta was awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal. In 2005, he received the Param Vishist Seva Medal.

High Commissioner to New Zealand

After retirement the Indian government appointed him as India's High Commissioner to New Zealand.^[1]^[2]^[3]

References

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Navy-Chiefs/Chiefs-Navy21.html