Dehradun, Uttarakhand: In a clear demonstration of the Indian Army’s emphasis on sustained operational readiness and institutional cohesion, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) and Colonel of the Kumaon & Naga Regiments and the Kumaon Scouts, visited the Naga Regiment at Dehradun on April 6, 2026.
The senior officer conducted a detailed review of the unit’s operational preparedness, examining training standards, equipment readiness and overall combat effectiveness. He interacted extensively with officers and soldiers across all ranks, gaining first-hand insights into their professional capabilities and living conditions. Lt Gen Ghai expressed high appreciation for the regiment’s professionalism, high morale and steadfast dedication to duty, exhorting personnel to sustain the exemplary standards that have become the hallmark of the formation.
The Naga Regiment, raised in 1970 as one of the Indian Army’s youngest infantry units, draws its strength from the distinctive ethos and martial traditions of the Naga people. Its soldiers have repeatedly distinguished themselves in counter-insurgency operations and conventional roles alike. Lt Gen Ghai’s visit carries particular significance as he assumed the appointment of Colonel of the Kumaon Regiment, Naga Regiment and Kumaon Scouts only weeks earlier, in March 2026. An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment in December 1989, the General Officer brings over 36 years of distinguished service, including command of the XV Corps and key staff appointments at Army Headquarters.
In a parallel engagement that underscored the deepening military-civil fusion in the region, Lt Gen Ghai paid courtesy calls on the Honourable Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the Honourable Governor of Uttarakhand Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh. The meetings reinforced strong civil-military synergy in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, a state that serves as a vital hub for training and operational activities of several Indian Army formations.
Such visits by senior leadership are routine yet critical components of the Army’s leadership philosophy. They enable top commanders to assess ground realities directly, address concerns of troops and ensure alignment between operational imperatives and national development goals. In the case of the Naga Regiment, the interaction also reaffirms the Army’s commitment to regiments with unique cultural identities that contribute significantly to India’s composite military strength.
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai’s inspection comes at a time when the Indian Army continues to modernise its infantry units while maintaining an unrelenting focus on operational preparedness along the country’s frontiers. The visit is expected to further motivate the men and officers of the Naga Regiment as they uphold their proud legacy of valour and service.
The event was documented by the Public Relations Office (Defence), Dehradun, and reflects the Indian Army’s ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and foster greater understanding between the armed forces and civil society.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
