The Naval War College(NWC) Goa hosted the 35th Naval Higher Command Course’s Valedictory Function on May 3. The course, which started on August 1st, was successfully completed by 34 officers, comprising 25 officers of the Indian Navy, 4 officers each from the Indian Army and Indian Airforce, & 1 officer of the Coast Guard. Captains of the Indian Navy and officers with comparable levels in the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard take the NHCC as its flagship course. With a strong focus on national security, maritime strategy, joint operations, and technological transformations, the school aims to train officers for leadership at the strategic and operational level. During the course, the participating officers undertook research on a wide variety of subjects of strategic and operational importance to the nation in general and the Armed Forces in particular.
The honoured Goa Governor, Shri Sreedharan Pillai, attended the event as the chief guest. Additionally present was Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command. Degree diplomas in defence and strategic studies were given to each and every course participant. Capt. Vikram Ahuja received the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (West) Silver medal for second best dissertation, while Capt. Rajeev Tiwari received the Chief of Naval Staff Gold Medal for the finest dissertation. For the best Operation Research paper, Capt. Kunal Bharadwaj received the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (South) Silver Medal, while Capt. Varun Paniker and Col. RR Laddha received the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (East) Silver Medal.
Capt. Suraj James Rabeira received the recently established General Bipin Rawat Trophy for the Most Spirited Officer at the event, which was held in honour of the first Chief of Defence Staff. The daughters of the late General Bipin Rawat were also present for the award ceremony, along with Mrs. Kala Hari Kumar, President of the Navy Welfare & Wellness Association (NWWA), and Mrs. Madhumati Hampiholi, NWWA (Southern Region). The Chief Guest praised the officers for their tenacity and professional brilliance while congratulating the medal recipients. The graduating officers will now hold important operational and staff positions within the Armed Forces and play a crucial role in formulating both decisions and policies.
