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{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Lieutenant General]]
| name = Alok Kler
| honorific_suffix = [[PVSM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]]
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| image = File:Lieutenant General Alok Kler, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command.jpg
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| allegiance = {{IND}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| serviceyears = June 1982 - 2021
| rank = [[File:Lieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg|22px]] [[Lieutenant General]]
| servicenumber = IC-40293Y<ref name="commission"/>
| unit = [[68th Armoured Regiment (India)|68th Armoured Regiment]]
| commands = [[File:IA_South_Western_Command.jpg|20px]] [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Army]]<br>[[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]
| battles =
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| awards = [[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] <br> [[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
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}}
[[Lieutenant General]] '''Alok Singh Kler''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]] is a retired [[General Officer]] in the [[Indian Army]] who last served as [[General officer commanding#Usage in the Indian Army|General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief]] of the [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]. He assumed office on 1 September 2019, taking over from Lt Gen [[Cherish Mathson]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sep 1 |first1=TNN {{!}} Updated |title=Sapta Shakti Command chief Cherish Mathson retires {{!}} Jaipur News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/sapta-shakti-command-chief-mathson-retires/articleshow/70929699.cms |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Alok was born into the Kler military family which originated in [[Kakrala Kalan]] near [[Ludhiana]], [[Punjab, India]]. The family has over 300 years of service in the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. His father, Gen Gurdev Singh Kler was [[Mentioned in dispatches]] (MiD) in [[Sialkot]] in [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] fighting with [[18th King Edward's Own Cavalry|18th Cavalry]]. Commanding 56 Brigade, he was awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] (AVSM) for capturing the largest group of armed insurgents in [[Nagaland]] in the 1970s. Commanding an armoured brigade and division, he was Director General of Military Training (DGMT) and commanded the Armoured Corps Centre and School in [[Ahmednagar]], [[Maharashtra]] before retiring as a Lieutenant General.

His elder brother, Jasjit Singh Kler was in the [[Indian Air Force]]. He served as the [[List of Commandants of the National Defence Academy|Commandant]] of the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] before retiring as an [[Air Marshal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Comdts Gallery |url=https://nda.nic.in/comdt_gallery.html |website=nda.nic.in}}</ref> His Uncle, Gen Hardev Singh Kler was awarded the [[Mahavir Chakra]] in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] for commanding 95 Brigade. His formation was among the first to enter [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{cite web |title=HARDEV SINGH KLER {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/hardev-singh-kler |website=gallantryawards.gov.in}}</ref> Alok's father-in-law, [[Brigadier]] [[Narinder Singh Sandhu]] saw action in both the wars of 1965 and 1971 and was awarded the [[Mahavir Chakra]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NARINDER SINGH SANDHU {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/narinder-singh-sandhu |website=gallantryawards.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Which family has 300 years of service in India's armed forces? Know the Klers |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/kler-family-s-role-in-the-nation-s-service/story-phFhtNcjyHiBNpH6W6KWmO.html |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |date=30 July 2017}}</ref> Alok attended [[Mayo College]], [[Ajmer]]<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{cite web |title=General to cycle from Delhi to Jaipur to take up new appointment |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/general-to-cycle-from-delhi-to-jaipur-to-take-up-new-appointment/story-YR859JYSLJxhakSWf5JrwK.html |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |date=30 August 2019}}</ref> before graduating from the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] and the [[Indian Military Academy]].<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite web |last1=Sep 2 |first1=TNN {{!}} Updated |title=Kler is new chief of Sapta Shakti Command {{!}} Jaipur News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/kler-is-new-chief-of-sapta-shakti-command/articleshow/70940397.cms |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
Kler was commissioned into 68 Armoured Regiment in June 1982. He has attended [[Defence Services Staff College]] at [[Wellington Cantonment|Wellington]], the Battalion Commander Combat Course at [[Germany]], the Higher Command Course at [[Army War College, Mhow]], and the [[National Defence College (Bangladesh)|National Defence College]] at [[Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Star Cast 2017 {{!}} Khushwant Singh Literary Festival |url=https://kslitfest.com/kslf-2017/our-star-cast-2017/ |website=kslitfest.com}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/>

Kler commanded an Armoured regiment, an Armoured Brigade in the western sector and the same Armoured Division which was commanded by his father.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Star Cast 2017 {{!}} Khushwant Singh Literary Festival |url=https://kslitfest.com/kslf-2017/our-star-cast-2017/ |website=kslitfest.com}}</ref> He later commanded the Strike Corps ([[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]) in the Western theatre.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/> He has also held important staff positions like the Chief of Staff of [[Army Training Command]] (ARTRAC). He later served as the Director General Military Training (DGMT).<ref name="business-standard.com">{{cite web |title=58-year-old Army Lt Gen carries out Para jump |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/58-year-old-army-lt-gen-carries-out-para-jump-119050601136_1.html |website=Business Standard India |date=6 May 2019}}</ref> He has been awarded the [[Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2015 and a [[Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces#Commendation Card|COAS Commendation card]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Star Cast 2017 {{!}} Khushwant Singh Literary Festival |url=https://kslitfest.com/kslf-2017/our-star-cast-2017/ |website=kslitfest.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Official Home Page of the Indian Army |url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=K66/tN5rIV6O3SlAB4zXRg==&ParentID=17pM1P1kJnE5iUpgIq65Hg== |website=www.indianarmy.nic.in}}</ref>

Kler has a keen interest in cycling, fitness and sports. He made news when he cycled 270 km from [[Delhi]] to [[Jaipur]] to take command of the [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]. As an Army Commander, he was entitled to fly down to his headquarters or drive down in a cavalcade of military vehicles.<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lt General Alok Kler disrupted convention with cycling odyssey; change of command ceremony is no place to exhibit passion for fitness |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/lt-general-alok-kler-disrupted-convention-with-cycling-odyssey-change-of-command-ceremony-is-no-place-to-exhibit-passion-for-fitness-7265701.html |website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=JaipurSeptember 1 |first1=Indo-Asian News Service |last2=September 1 |first2=Indo-Asian News Service |last3=Ist |first3=Indo-Asian News Service |title=Army commander cycles to Jaipur to take charge |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-commander-cycles-to-jaipur-to-take-charge-1594264-2019-09-01 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

''“Cycling is a terrific workout and I am passionate about it. I believe fitness should be a personal mission and not imposed by the organisation. It sends a message of fitness to the men under my command and others too,”'' said Gen Kler.<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/>

He also carried out a para jump, after taking over the South Western Command. He jumped out an ALH Dhruv helicopter on October 25.<ref>{{cite web |title=South-Western Army Commander Lt Gen Kler carries out para jump |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/south-western-army-commander-lt-gen-kler-carries-out-para-jump20191028160240/ |website=www.aninews.in |language=en}}</ref> He had earlier, as the DGMT, carried out a para jump Nasik by service aircraft from 10,000-12,000 feet.<ref name="business-standard.com"/>

Kler retired from the Army on 31 March 2021.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Bhinder takes over as chief of South Western Command|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-amardeep-singh-bhinder-takes-over-as-chief-of-south-western-command/articleshow/81832417.cms |work=The Economic Times |location= |date=1 April 2021 |access-date=3 April 2021}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|
|[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|
|-
|colspan="5"|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|105px]] [[File:IND Special Service 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 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|-
|colspan="1"|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|colspan="1"|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|-
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Videsh Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}

==Dates of rank==
{|class="wikitable" style="background:white"
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Second Lieutenant of the Indian Army.svg|35px]] || [[Second Lieutenant]] || [[Indian Army]] || 12 June 1982<ref name="commission">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=797 |date=10 June 1989 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant]] || Indian Army || 12 June 1984
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || Indian Army || 12 June 1987<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1362 |date=25 August 1990 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Major]] || Indian Army || 12 June 1993<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1658 |date=18 September 1993 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] || Indian Army || 16 December 2004<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=18 |date=15 October 2005 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] || Indian Army || 1 March 2006<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=634 |date=21 April 2007 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Brigadier_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]] || Indian Army || 1 January 2010 (substantive, with seniority from 7 January 2009)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=272 |date=16 February 2013 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Major_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Major general (India)|Major General]] || Indian Army || 12 December 2014 (substantive, with seniority from 3 June 2012)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1308 |date=21 May 2016 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant-General]] || Indian Army || 20 May 2017 (with seniority from 1 May 2017)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=393 |date=9 February 2019 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}{{Succession box
| title = [[General officer commanding#Usage in the Indian Army|General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief]] [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]
| years = 1 September 2019 - 31 March 2021
| before = [[Cherish Mathson]]
| after = Amardeep Singh Bhinder
}}
{{succession box
| title = [[General Officer Commanding]] [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]
| years = 2018 - 2019
| before = [[Jaiveer Singh Negi]]
| after = Manmohan Jeet Singh Kahlon
}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kler, Alok Singh}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Military Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:National Defence College (Bangladesh) alumni]]
[[Category:Army War College, Mhow alumni]]

Alok Singh Kler - Revision history

Bot at 10:22, 23 December 2022