GLIMPSES
Admiral
S M Nanda,
PVSM, AVSM
CNS, 28 Feb 1970 - 28 Feb 1973
Admiral Sardari Mathradas Nanda assumed charge of the Indian Navy, as the 6th Chief of Naval Staff, on 28 February 1970. Born in 1915, he joined the Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve in October 1941. Prior to his joining the RINVR, he had served with Port Trust in Karachi.
Since Independence in 1947, Admiral Nanda held a number of important appointments both ashore and afloat that gave him varied experience. In 1948, he joined the Navy's first cruiser INS Delhi in the United Kingdom as her First Lieutenant. On his return to India, he served as the Director of Personnel Services at Naval HQ from 1949-51. He later commanded the destroyer, INS Ranjit, as well as a Frigate Squadron. Posted back to Naval HQ, he became the Chief of Personnel and was promoted to the rank of Commodore.
In 1957, Admiral Nanda commissioned the cruiser INS Mysore in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, he was appointed Director General, Naval Dockyard Expansion Scheme, at Bombay. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 1961. There after, he underwent a course at the Imperial Defence College in London, returning to Naval HQ to assume the appointment of Chief of Material.
Admiral Nanda became the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) in May 1962 in the rank of Rear Admiral. He was appointed Managing Director of Mazagon Dock Ltd. Bombay, in December 1964 and served there for 18 months. During this period, the re-organisation scheme of the Mazagon Dock and Leander Class frigates project were simultaneously taken up and he was responsible for giving both a good start.
Admiral Nanda was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for the distinguished service of a very high order in 1966. He commanded the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak War and steered it to a resounding victory. The Pakistan Navy was humbled and the Indian Navy had complete control over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. He retired in 1973 after completing over 31 years of exceptional service.