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{{Short description|Recipient of Kirti Chakra}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Colonel]]
| name = '''Ajay Kothiyal'''
| honorific_suffix = [[Kirti Chakra|KC]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
| image = AJ1T.png
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|02|26}}
| birth_place = [[Tehri]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| allegiance = [[India]]
| branch = [[Indian Army]]
| serviceyears = 1992–2018
| rank = [[Colonel]]
| servicenumber = IC-51821X<ref>{{cite news|title=63rd Republic Day: The gallantry award winners : IC-51821X COLONEL AJAY KOTHIYAL, KIRTI CHAKRA, SHAURYA CHAKRA, GARHWAL RIFLES|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/republic-day-the-gallantry-award-winners/20120126.htm|access-date=7 November 2017|agency=rediff.com}}</ref>
| unit = [[The Garhwal Rifles]]
| commands = 4th Battalion/Nuranang Battalion; 10th Battalion, of [[The Garhwal Rifles]]
| battles = [[Kargil War]]
| awards = [[File:Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Kirti Chakra]]<br/>[[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Shaurya Chakra]]<br/>[[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
| spouse = Unmarried
| relations = Inspector General (Retd.) Satyasaran Kothiyal (father); Late. Sushila Kothiyal (mother)
| laterwork = Principal of ''Nehru Institute of Mountaineering'';<ref>{{cite web|title=Principal Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, KC, SC, VSM|url=http://www.nimindia.net/principal|website=NIM|publisher=NIM|access-date=4 November 2017}}</ref> Founder of ''Youth Foundation'' [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]<ref>{{cite web|title=TEAM & GOVERNING BODY Founded by Colonel Ajay Kothiyal KC, SC, VSM on 13 Jul 2013|url=http://www.youthfoundationuttarakhand.org/about.html|website=Youth Foundation|publisher=Youth Foundation|access-date=4 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022625/http://www.youthfoundationuttarakhand.org/about.html|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| signature =
| signature_size =
| signature_alt =
| website = [https://youthfoundationuttarakhand.org/ Youth Foundation Uttarakhand]
| module =
| Political Party = [[Bharatiya Janta Party]] (since 2022)
}}

[[Colonel]] '''Ajay Kothiyal''', [[Kirti Chakra|KC]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]] (Retd) is an Indian politician and a former officer of the [[Indian Army]] . He is a BJP leader, earlier he was leader of [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP) and was the CM Candidate for [[2022 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2022 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly elections]]. Kothiyal lost the election to BJP candidate in [[Gangotri Assembly constituency]]. In May 2022, he resigned from AAP and joined BJP.

He is also a [[mountaineer]] and philanthropist, and was the principal of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), [[Uttarakhand]].<ref name="Youth Foundation">{{cite web|title=Colonel Ajay Kothiyal Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Visisht Seva Medal|url=http://youthfoundationuttarakhand.org/colajay.html|website=Youth Foundation|publisher=Youth Foundation|access-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108034731/http://youthfoundationuttarakhand.org/colajay.html|archive-date=8 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi|url=https://www.nimindia.net/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=NIM Uttarkashi|language=en}}</ref>

He was the head of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, [[Uttarkashi]] when the institute was given the task of rescue and rehabilitation around the [[Kedarnath Temple|Kedarnath temple]], after its destruction by a [[2013 North India floods|flash flood in 2013]]. Kothiyal is unmarried. His non-profit trust, "Youth Foundation" trains young boys and girls from Uttarakhand to join the Indian Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/my-social-responsibility/colonel-who-trained-youth-for-indian-army/|title=Meet Col Ajay Kothiyal Who Has Trained Over 1900 Youth For Indian Army|date=12 July 2017|website=The Logical Indian|language=en-US|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref> He was given the [[Uttarakhand Ratna]] award in 2016 for his contribution to uplift and provide employment to youth of Uttarakhand.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-ratna-award-to-narendra-singh-negi-and-colonel-ajay-kothiyal|title=नरेंद्र सिंह नेगी और कर्नल अजय कोठियाल को उत्तराखंड रत्न|website=Amar Ujala|access-date=20 July 2019}}</ref>

==Early life==

Kothiyal was born on 26 February 1969, as the eldest son of Inspector General (Retd.) Satyasaran Kothiyal, [[Border Security Force]] and Sushila Kothiyal. His alma mater include [[St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun]], [[Brightlands School]], [[Kendriya Vidyalaya]] Dehradun, [[D.A.V.Post Graduate College Dehradun]] and [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref name="Youth Foundation"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Heroic deeds of an Army officer|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120212/dplus.htm#7|access-date=18 November 2017|agency=Tribune News Service|work=The Tribune}}</ref>

==Military service==

After completing his graduation, he cleared the CDS exam and joined the Fourth Battalion of [[The Garhwal Rifles|Garhwal Rifles]] Regiment as Second Lieutenant in 1992. In 1994, Colonel Kothiyal started training in 'basic mountain warfare' from [[High Altitude Warfare School]] (HAWS).{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Colonel Kothiyal (then Major) was part of the first team of the [[Indian Army]] that successfully summited the [[Mount Everest]] in 2001, under the leadership of Brigadier Krishan Kumar [[AVSM]].{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

On 12 May 2003, Indian Army had carried out its first surgical strike in Pulwama district under the leadership of Major Kothiyal. He was wounded in the operation, in which seven terrorists were neutralized. He was awarded [[Kirti Chakra]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2012/feb16-12/h2.htm|title=h2|website=sainiksamachar.nic.in|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> He still has two bullets inside his body.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2021-08-18|title=Ajay Kothiyal is AAP’s CM face in Uttarakhand, says Kejriwal|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ajay-kothiyal-is-aaps-cm-face-in-uttarakhand-says-kejriwal/article35966843.ece|access-date=2021-09-10|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2011, he decided to scale the eighth highest peak in the world, [[Manaslu|Mt. Manaslu]]. No Indian had ever successfully climbed this mountain. Fighting harsh weather and inhospitable conditions, his team unfurled the Indian Flag at the peak of Manaslu on 9 May 2011. He was awarded "[[Vishisht Seva Medal]]".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/uttarakhand-floods-120-courageous-people-saved-6500-pilgrims/articleshow/20852825.cms?from=mdr|title=Uttarakhand floods: 120 courageous people saved 6500 pilgrims|last=KK|first=Sruthijith|date=1 July 2013|work=The Economic Times|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref>
[[File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil receiving the flags from Col. Ajay Kothiyal on Indian Army Women Everest Expedition Team, during the Flag In Ceremony, in New Delhi on July 03, 2012.jpg|thumb|305x305px|The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil receiving the flags from Col. Ajay Kothiyal on Indian Army Women Everest Expedition Team, during the Flag in Ceremony, in New Delhi on 3 July 2012]]

In 2012, Colonel Kothiyal led a team of seven female officers from Indian army and successfully scaled the world's highest peak for the second time. Mrs Pratibha Singh [[Pratibha Patil|Patil]], [[President of India]] at that time, awarded him [[Shaurya Chakra]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/ajay-kothiyal|title=Ajay Kothiyal {{!}} Gallantry Awards|website=gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Kedarnath Temple|Kedarnath temple]], India's pilgrimage shrine was hit by natural disaster in which many lost lives. Colonel Kothiyal and his team were among the first to reach the affected area. He was given the responsibility of search and rescue operations. Under his supervision, Kedarnath was rebuilt and restored to its pristine form. He is credited with taking charge of the restoration process of Kedarpuri the shrine area at Kedarnath, at an elevation of more than 11,000 feet supervising more than 1000 workers who worked hard in harsh sub zero climate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Prithviraj|date=2021-08-18|title=Ajay Kothiyal, the retired Army Colonel behind Kedarpuri & AAP's CM face in Uttarakhand|url=https://theprint.in/politics/ajay-kothiyal-the-retired-army-colonel-behind-kedarpuri-aaps-cm-face-in-uttarakhand/717785/|access-date=2021-09-10|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-snowcovered-kedarnath-restoration-gathers-pace/article6713413.ece|title=In snow-covered Kedarnath, restoration gathers pace|last=Upadhyay|first=Kavita|date=21 December 2014|work=The Hindu|access-date=4 June 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In the same year, he also started a nonprofit trust called ''Youth Foundation'' to help the rural youth in [[Garhwali people|Garhwal]] region to join the Indian Military and Para Military Services. The Foundation also helps in providing medical facilities to the poor people in Garhwal region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sunday-special/kaleidoscope/the-colonel-who-dares-the-hills/399545.html|title=The Colonel who dares the hills|access-date=7 November 2017|publisher=The Tribune Trust}}</ref>

==Social work==

While working in Kedarnath, Colonel Kothiyal had recruited a few young men from nearby villages to assist him. He observed that the youth of Garhwal wanted to join the Indian Army but lacked proper training to do so. To bridge the gap, Colonel Kothiyal started a training program for such people. He self-funded the cause. The first batch had only 11 trainees, and the Army recruited all of them. In 2013, 28 out of the 30 youths he had trained were recruited in the [[Garhwal Rifles]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=Col Ajay Kothiyal, Credited With Rebuilding Kedarnath & Training Youth for Forces, is AAP's Uttarakhand Face|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/col-ajay-kothiyal-known-for-reconstructing-kedarnath-training-youth-for-forces-is-aaps-uttarakhand-face-4095773.html|access-date=2021-09-10|website=News18|language=en}}</ref> This success drew huge number of youth to seek his guidance and training. As a result, in 2015 he registered "Youth Foundation" as a charitable not-for-profit trust.<ref>{{cite web|title=This Colonel Helped Rehabilitate Uttarakhand After The 2013 Floods & Trained Over 2000 Youngsters To Join The Army|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/exclusive/ajay-kothiyal/|website=thelogicalindian.com|publisher=thelogicalindian.com|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, Colonel Kothiyal took voluntary retirement from army to focus on social work through Youth Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/colonel-ajay-kothiyal-retirement-application-accepted|title=सेना में रहकर कई कीर्तिमान स्थापित करने वाले कर्नल कोठियाल का सेवानिवृत्ति का आवेदन स्वीकार|website=Amar Ujala|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref>

== Political career ==
He joined the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] on 19 April 2021. He was the Chief Ministerial candidate from Aam Aadmi Party in [[2022 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election]]. He contested from [[Gangotri Assembly constituency]] of Uttarakhand and came third with the BJP candidate winning the seat.<ref>{{Cite web|last=राणा|first=पंकज|date=2021-11-18|title=Uttarakhand Election 2022: गंगोत्री से चुनाव लड़ेंगे कर्नल अजय कोठियाल, यहां समझिए समीकरण|url=https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/uttarakhand-election-2022-colonel-ajay-kothiyal-will-contest-from-gangotri-understand-the-equation-here-ann-2000362|access-date=2021-11-18|website=www.abplive.com|language=hi}}</ref> He left the Aam Aadmi Party on 18 May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arvind Kejriwal Picks Ex-Serviceman as AAP's CM face for Uttarakhand Assembly Polls|url=https://thewire.in/politics/arvind-kejriwal-aap-colonel-ajay-kothiyal|access-date=2021-08-20|website=thewire.in|language=en}}</ref>

Six days later on 24 May, 2022 he joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] while describing it as a "course correction".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-24 |title=AAP’s Uttarakhand CM face Col Ajay Kothiyal joins BJP, calls it ‘mid-course correction’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/political-pulse/ajay-kothiyal-aap-uttarakhand-cm-face-joins-bjp-7934238/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Military decorations==

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|[[File:Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Wound Medal-India.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay star.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:UNIFIL ribbon bar.svg|104px]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|[[Kirti Chakra]]
|[[Shaurya Chakra]]
|[[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Wound Medal (India)|Wound Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|[[Operation Vijay Star]]
|[[Siachen Glacier Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Operation Vijay Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Operation Parakram Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[UNIFIL|UN Interim Force in Lebanon Medal]]
|-
|}

==Awards==

* [[Uttarakhand Ratna]]<ref name=":0" />
* Salaam India Awards - Special Award<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners:Col. Ajay Kothiyal|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/salaamindia2013/slmwinners.php|website=indiatvnews.com|publisher=indiatvnews.com|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Indian summiters of Mount Everest - Year wise]]
*[[List of Mount Everest summiters by number of times to the summit]]
*[[List of Mount Everest records of India]]
*[[List of Mount Everest records]]
* [[Garhwali people]]
* [[List of Regiments of the Indian Army]]
* [[Garhwal Division]]
* [[Saurabh Singh Shekhawat]]
* [[Mountaineering in India#Indian mountaineers]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/day-long-raibaar-discusses-ways-to-solve-ukhands-pressing-issues/articleshow/61521284.cms Day-long 'Raibaar' discusses ways to solve U'khand's pressing issues]
* [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/30-jump-in-applicants-after-army-eases-height-rule/articleshow/61208994.cms "30% jump in applicants after Army eases height rule"]
* [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kedarnath-ashram-pm-modi-stayed-at-for-five-years-sanyasi/1/1077101.html "Kedarnath ashram where Modi stayed for 5 years as hermit to be reconstructed"]
* [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/preparations-in-full-swing-for-pms-state-visit-day-after-diwali/articleshow/61134979.cms "Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, director Col Ajay Kothiyal are invitees for the PM’s function."]
* [http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/youth-foundation-to-organise-selection-camps-from-june-12.html "Youth Foundation to organise selection camps from June 12"]

==External links==
* [http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2012/feb16-12/h2.htm VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL : IC-51821X Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Garhwal Rifles]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__f1ZkwqRl8 Salaam India Awards winner Col Ajay Kothiyal]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq7V6XCljnI Colonel Ajay Kothiyal (Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Vishisht Sewa Medal)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWKNUem0y4 Kudos to women Army officials]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Z55bs3kWU Cross Fire Col.Ajay Kothiyal Sadhna Prime 6.30 PM 8 August]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYfiQQ2-Xbk Mission Kedarnath Documentary]
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo-aap}}
{{s-bef|before= Post established }}
{{s-ttl|title= [[Chief Minister of Uttarakhand|Uttarakhand Chief Ministerial]] candidate |years= August 2021 – present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-bef|before= Post established }}
{{s-ttl|title= Candidate for Member of Legislative Assembly
from [[Gangotri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Gangotri]] in [[2022 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election]] |years= Nov 2021 – present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{Indian mountaineers}}
{{Aam Aadmi Party}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kothiyal, Ajay}}
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Garhwali people]]
[[Category:Indian summiters of Mount Everest]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Shaurya Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kirti Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:People from Tehri Garhwal district]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:People from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Kirti Chakra]]

Ajay Kothiyal - Revision history

Bot at 08:57, 25 October 2022