25 Th ADM RD katari Memorial Lecture at New Delhi
Dr C Raja Mohan, delivered the 25th Admiral RD Katari Memorial Lecture titled “Naval Diplomacy: India’s New Imperative” at Dr DS Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan, Dalhousie Raod, New Delhi this evening. The speaker, Dr C Raja Mohan, a Journalist and a Foreign Policy Analyst, is a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. He has had a number of stints in journalism and authored books on strategic issues. Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff delivered the keynote address. Mrs Lalita Ramdas, daughter of Late Admiral RD Katari and Admiral L Ramdas, along with a large number of dignitaries from academia, think tanks and Ministry of Defence attended the function organized by the Navy Foundation Delhi Chapter.
Navy Foundation (NF) is an organisation of retired naval officers that has a footprint pan-India with its 15 branches spread across the length and breadth of the country. The Chief of the Naval Staff is also the President of Navy Foundation. Apart from networking the veterans’ community to harness their efforts towards nation building, the organisation also undertakes philanthropic work and conducts activities to generate awareness on maritime issues. Towards this, the Navy Foundation Delhi Chapter conducts an annual lecture by eminent speakers in memory of late Admiral RD Katari.
Admiral RD Katari, the 1st Indian Chief of the Naval Staff (22 Apr 1958 to 04 Jun 1962) is widely admired and much loved for the challenge he undertook at the young age of 47 years towards integrating the best practices of Royal Navy to lay the foundation of modern Indian Navy. He is also remembered for his effective dealing of the hangovers and influences of British Imperial rule in India, and in laying the groundwork for a strong Navy. Admiral RD Katari settled down in Secunderabad after his retirement (at the age of 51 years) and served as the Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) from Dec 62 to May 64. Thereafter he was appointed as India’s Ambassador to Burma for five years.
DKS/CKP