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{{short description|Indian Navy Officer}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific prefix = [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]
| name = KASZ Raju
| honorific suffix = [[PVSM]], [[AVSM]], [[Nau Sena Medal|NM]]
| birth_date =
| death_date =
| birth_place =
| death_place =
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| image =
| caption =
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of India.svg}} [[Indian Navy]]
| serviceyears = 1958-1994
| rank = [[File:British_Royal_Navy_(sleeves)_OF-8.svg|23px]] [[File:13-Indian_Navy-VADM.svg|23px]] [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]
| commands = [[Western Naval Command]] [[Southern Naval Command]] [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] [[INS Hansa]] {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}} [[Deepak-class oiler|INS Deepak]] {{ship|INS|Tir|K256}}
| unit =
| battles = [[World War II]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
| awards = [[File:Param_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] [[File:Ati_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] [[File:Nao_Sena_Medal_ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Nao Sena Medal]]
| relations =
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}}
[[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] '''Kankipati Appala Satyanarayana Zagapathi 'KASZ' Raju''', [[PVSM]], [[AVSM]], [[Nau Sena Medal|NM]] is a former Flag officer in the [[Indian Navy]]. He last served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief [[Western Naval Command]], from 1992 to 1994. A [[naval aviator]], he was part of the Navy's first naval air squadron [[INAS 300]] and was embarked on the Navy's first [[aircraft carrier]] {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}}. During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], he was the [[executive officer]] of the [[Leopard-class frigate]] {{ship|INS|Brahmaputra|1957}}, for which he was awarded the [[Nao Sena Medal]]. He later commanded the [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] and the [[Southern Naval Command]].

==Early life and education==
Raju joined the [[Rashtriya Indian Military College]], [[Dehradun]] in 1948. After passing the entrance examination, he joined the 10th course of the Joint Services Wing in Dehradun in 1953.<ref>{{cite web |title=For Our Alumni |url=http://www.rimcollian.in/index.php/alumini |website=www.rimcollian.in |language=en-gb}}</ref> In December 1954, the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] (NDA) was commissioned in Khadakvasla, near Pune. The 10th course moved to NDA when parts of the academy were under construction. After graduating from NDA, Raju was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 1 July 1958.<ref name="PIB Bio - FOCINC WNC">{{cite web |title=VICE ADMIRAL KASZ RAJU TAKES OVER WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1992-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1992-08-31_196.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=31 August 1992}}</ref>

==Naval career==
===Early career===
Raju trained as a naval aviator and joined the first squadron of the Indian Navy - [[INAS 300]]. He flew the [[Hawker Sea Hawk]] aircraft. In February 1961, India's first [[aircraft carrier]] {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}} was commissioned in Belfast. The squadron was based out of [[RNAS Brawdy]] in Wales. In August, the Sea Hawks of [[INAS 300]] embarked on the ''Vikrant'' in the English Channel.{{sfn|Singh|1991|p=312}} After work-up and sea trials in the Mediterranean, ''Vikrant'' entered home waters in November. Aircraft of the [[Indian Air Force]] welcomed the ship and INAS 300, along with [[INAS 310]] put up a flying demonstration.<ref>{{cite web |title=FLYING WELCOME TO VIKRANT |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1961-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1961-10-26_445.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=26 October 1961}}</ref> The squadron then disembarked and moved to [[Sulur Air Force Station]].{{sfn|Singh|1991|p=144}}

On 1 January 1968, Raju was promoted to the acting rank of [[Lieutenant Commander]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NAVAL PROMOTIONS |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1968-JAN-APR-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1968-01-01_002.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=1 January 1968}}</ref> He then served on the [[Naval air station]] [[INS Garuda]].{{sfn|Hiranandani|1999|p=516}} In June 1969, he was selected to attend the [[Defence Services Staff College]] (DSSC), [[Wellington Cantonment|Wellington]] in the course commencing in January 1970.<ref name="DSSC">{{cite web |title=NAVAL OFFICERS FOR STAFF COLLEGE |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1969-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-VOLK-I/PDF/DEF-1969-06-23_256.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=23 June 1969}}</ref> After graduating from DSSC, Raju was appointed [[executive officer]] of the [[Leopard-class frigate]] {{ship|INS|Brahmaputra|1957}}.

===Indo-Pakistani War of 1971===
In mid-1971, the , ''Vikrant'' along with the frigates ''Brahmaputra'' and {{ship|INS|Beas|1958}} were moved from the [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] to the [[Eastern Naval Command]].{{sfn|Krishnan|2011}} With this, on 1 November 1971, the [[Eastern Fleet (India)|Eastern Fleet]] came into existence, under the command of Rear Admiral [[S. H. Sarma]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NAVY EASTERN FLEET FORMED ADM SARMA PLACED IN COMMAND |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1971-SEPT-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1971-11-18_085.pdf}}</ref> The ''Brahmaputra'' was deployed in the Bay of Bengal. She participated in the bombardment of Chittagong. On 14 December, ''Vikrant'' moved to Paradip for refuelling and the [[Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet]] transferred his flag to the ''Brahmaputra''. For his participation in the war as the XO of ''Brahmaputra'', Raju was awarded the [[Nau Sena Medal]] for gallantry.{{sfn|Hiranandani|1999|p=654}}<ref name="PIB Bio - FOCINC WNC" />

===Post-war career===
After the war, Raju was promoted to the rank of [[Commander]]. In 1973, he commanded the Inter-services guard of honour during the [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] celebrations at [[Red Fort]].<ref>{{cite web |title=INDEPENDENCE DAY FULL DRESS REHEARSAL ON SUNDAY |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1973-JUNE-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1973-08-09_052.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=14 August 973}}</ref> He then took command of the [[River-class frigate]] {{ship|INS|Tir|K256}}. ''Tir'' was converted into a training ship and was part of 1 Training Squadron with the erstwhile flagship {{ship|INS|Delhi|C74}} as the lead ship.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE ADMIRALS OF THE NAVY WHO OCCUPIED THE BIG WHITE CHAIR IN SOUTH BLOCK & ARE NO MORE NEED TO BE REMEMBERED WITH THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RISE OF THE INDIAN NAVY—ADM JG NADKARNI WAS KNOWN FOR OP GODSAL –A SEAMANSHIP TASK WELL DONE SIR BZ ! RIP. – Maritime Museum C-443 Defence Colony. New Delhi. |url=https://indiadefenceforum.com/the-admirals-of-the-navy-who-occupied-the-big-white-chair-in-south-block-are-no-more-need-to-be-remembered-with-their-contributions-to-the-rise-of-the-indian-navy-adm-jg-nadkarni-was-known-for-op/}}</ref>

Raju subsequently moved to Naval HQ as a Joint Director. In 1979, he was part of a delegation headed by the [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|Deputy Prime Minister]] and [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] [[Jagjivan Ram]] to Bulgaria, Romania and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=SHRI JAGJIVAN RAM TO VISIT BULGARIA ROMANIA AND U.K. |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1979-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-PART-I/PDF/DEF-1979-05-25_192.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=25 May 1979}}</ref> He then took command of the [[fleet tanker]] [[Deepak-class oiler|INS Deepak]].<ref name="PIB Bio - FOCINC WNC" /> On 27 August 1982, Raju was appointed the 15th [[commanding officer]] of ''INS Vikrant'' and took over from Captain A. Ghosh. During his command, the [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier]] aircraft were inducted and the first deck landing took place on 20 December 1983.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Navy to bid adieu to Sea Harrier Fighters {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/indian-navy-bid-adieu-sea-harrier-fighters |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> After a two-and-a-half year stint as CO Vikrant, Raju was appointed Commanding Officer of the [[naval air station]] [[INS Hansa]] in Goa.

===Flag Rank===
In 1985, Raju was promoted to the rank of acting [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] and appointed Assistant Chief of Personnel (ACOP) at Naval HQ. As ACOP he headed the career planning department. On 5 July 1987, he was appointed the next [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]] (FOCWF). On 9 July, he took over command from Rear Admiral [[Vijai Singh Shekhawat]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL COAST GUARD APPOINTED |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1987-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1987-07-05_005.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=5 July 1987}}</ref> During his tenure, the Indian Navy's second aircraft carrier {{ship|INS|Viraat|R22}} reached India. The [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Rajiv Gandhi]] welcomed the carrier when it reached Mumbai. As the FOCWF, Raju was among the senior officers welcoming ''Viraat'' to India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Her first CO gets nostalgic on INS Viraat silver jubilee - Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/her-first-co-gets-nostalgic-on-ins-viraat-silver-jubilee/948487/ |website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref> Under his tenure, two missile frigates also joined the fleet and became efficient units.<ref name="PIB Bio - FOCINC WNC" />

After close to two years in command of the western fleet, Raju was promoted to the rank of [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] and moved to Naval HQ as [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]].<ref name="DCNS">{{cite web |title=VICE ADMIRAL RAJU TAKES OVER AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1989-JAN-JUNE-DEFENCE-I/PDF/DEF-1989-03-10_096.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=10 March 1989}}</ref> In December 1990, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief [[Southern Naval Command]], succeeding Vice Admiral S.P. Govil.<ref name="FOCINC SNC">{{cite web |title=NEW VICE CHIEF, FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING-IN-CHIEF AND DEPUTY CHIEF FOR INDIAN NAVY |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1990-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE-II/PDF/DEF-1990-12-28_181.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=28 December 1990}}</ref> After he took over, he was tasked with an in-depth study of the command structure of the Indian Navy. The VAdm KASZ Raju Committee report recommended multiple changes in the structure at the naval commands as well as at the Naval HQ. It also recommended conversion of the Southern Naval Command from a training command to an operational command. However, these recommendations were not implemented.{{sfn|Hiranandani|2010|p=232}}

On 31 August 1992, Raju was appointed Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief [[Western Naval Command]], succeeding Vice Admiral H. Johnson. He led the Western Naval Command for over two-and-a-half years. On 31 December 1994, he relinquished command, handing over to Vice Admiral [[Vishnu Bhagwat]].<ref name="PIB Bio - FOCINC WNC" /> Raju retired from the Indian Navy on the same day after 37 years of service.<ref>{{cite web |title=VICE ADMIRAL VISHNU BHAGWAT TAKES OVER AS FOC-IN-C (WEST) |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1994-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1994-12-31_440.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=31 December 1994}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{citation|first1=G. M.|last1=Hiranandani|title=Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy, 1965-1975|year=1999|isbn= 978-1897829721|publisher=Lancer International}}
*{{citation|first1=G. M.|last1=Hiranandani|title=Transition to Guardianship: The Indian Navy 1991-2000|year=2010|isbn= 978-1935501268|publisher= Lancer InterConsult, Incorporated}}
*{{citation|first1=Arjun|last1=Krishnan|title=A Sailor's story|year=2011|isbn=978-8189534141|publisher=Punya Publications}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=A. Ghosh}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[INS_Vikrant_(1961)#Commanding_officers|Commanding Officer INS Vikrant]]|years=1982-1984}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Santosh Kumar Gupta]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Vijai Singh Shekhawat]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]]|years=1987-1989}}
{{s-aft|after=I. Bedi}}
{{s-bef|before=R. P. Sawhney}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]]|years=1989-1990}}
{{s-aft|after=B. Guha}}
{{s-bef|before=S. P. Govil}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]]|years=1990-1992}}
{{s-aft|after=S. K. Chand}}
{{s-bef|before=H. Johnson}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]]|years=1992-1994}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Vishnu Bhagwat]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raju, KASZ}}
[[Category:Indian Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Deputy Chiefs of Naval Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Flag Officers Commanding Western Fleet]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Indian Military College alumni]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]
[[Category:Indian naval aviators]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Nau Sena Medal]]

KASZ Raju - Revision history

Bot at 08:14, 1 November 2022