General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)General Anil Chauhan is the current Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, serving since September 30, 2022. A four-star general with nearly 40 years of service,
General Anil Chauhan is the current Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, serving since September 30, 2022. A four-star general with nearly 40 years of service, he has extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and North-East India.
Born on May 18, 1961, he was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1981. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, he commanded an Infantry Division in Baramula, a corps in the North East, and the Eastern Command from September 2019 until his retirement in May 2021. He has also served as Director General of Military Operations and participated in a UN mission to Angola.
General Chauhan’s distinguished service has earned him the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd)
Director General, CAPSA Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, commissioned into the Fighter stream of the IAF in Dec 1982.
A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, commissioned into the Fighter stream of the IAF in Dec 1982. Fully Ops on the erstwhile Ajeet and Jaguar aircraft. Raised and commanded the first Harpy squadron of the Indian Air Force. He commanded an Air Defence Direction Centre and an operational base. One of the few to have served in senior ranks in both the Joint Services Commands of the country, Andaman & Nicobar Command as the Air Force Component Commander and Strategic Forces Command as the Chief Staff Officer (Air Vector).
The other joint services appointments include Air Officer Commanding Maritime Air Operations in Mumbai and Chief Instructor, Air Force, at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Superannuated from service in Nov 2019.
An avid writer and author, he has written a number of articles on air power, national security, strategy and integration of the Armed Forces. He has Co-edited two books ‘Air Power and Emerging Technologies’; 2022 and ‘Indian Air Force in its Centennial Decade’; 2023. He took over as Additional Director General CAPS on 07 May 2021.
Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd)
Director General, USIMaj Gen BK Sharma was commissioned in the SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment in 1976 and superannuated in 2012. He is the Director General of USI.
Maj Gen BK Sharma was commissioned in the SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment in 1976 and superannuated in 2012. He is the Director General of USI. He has represented his country at the UN as Military Observer in Central America and has been India’s Defence Attaché in Central Asia. He specializes in Strategic Net Assessment methodology, Scenario Building and Strategic Gaming.
Col Ajay K Raina, SM (Retd)
Col Ajay Raina, SM (Retd) is the founder of the Military History Research Foundation, Raina has authored and edited 27 books, focusing on military history, including Hold at All Costs and The Gallant Nunnus.
Col Ajay Raina, SM (Retd) is the founder of the Military History Research Foundation, Raina has authored and edited 29 books, focusing on military history, including Hold at All Costs and The Gallant Nunnus.
Born in 1969 in Jammu, AJ attended school and college in Jammu. In 1987, he was adjudged the BEST NCC CADET (Senior Division) from the J&K Directorate during participation in the Republic Day Camp at New Delhi. He was awarded GOVERNOR’s MEDAL for the same.He was commissioned into 93 Field Regiment in December 1990 and had the privilege of commanding the same regiment from 2007 to 2009. He was awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry) while serving in an RR (Rashtriya Rifles) battalion in Northern Kashmir in 2006.
He is passionate for adventure activities. In 2009, Raina and his family set a Limca Book record for an unsupported motorcycle ride across 11 Ladakh passes. He holds an MSc in Weapon Technology and an MBA in Finance.
Dr Diya Gupta
Dr Diya Gupta is Senior Lecturer in Public History at City St George's, University of London, UK. Her first book, India in the Second World War: An Emotional History, was shortlisted for the Royal Historical Society's 2024 Gladstone Prize.
Dr Diya Gupta is Senior Lecturer in Public History at City St George's, University of London, UK. Her first book, India in the Second World War: An Emotional History, was shortlisted for the Royal Historical Society's 2024 Gladstone Prize. Her current research project examines the nature of wartime violence as it turns inwards, targeting colonised civilian bodies, studied through the lens of the 1943 Bengal Famine. https://www.diyagupta.co.uk.
Dr Peter Johnston
Dr Peter Johnston serves as the Director of Narrative & Content at the Imperial War Museum, where he oversees the development of compelling stories and educational content related to military history and war experiences.
Dr Peter Johnston serves as the Director of Narrative & Content at the Imperial War Museum, where he oversees the development of compelling stories and educational content related to military history and war experiences. With a deep expertise in curating historical narratives, Dr. Johnston plays a key role in shaping the museum's exhibitions, publications, and multimedia projects. His work is central to engaging diverse audiences, ensuring that the museum’s collections and resources effectively communicate the profound impact of conflict on societies, individuals, and global history.
Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, AVSM, SM (Retd)
Major General Ian Cardozo was born in Mumbai and studied at St. Xavier’s School and College. He joined the Joint Services Wing at Clement Town, Dehradun in July 1954, which
Major General Ian Cardozo was born in Mumbai and studied at St. Xavier’s School and College. He joined the Joint Services Wing at Clement Town, Dehradun in July 1954, which transferred to Khadakvasla, Pune in January 1955 and became the National Defence Academy. Here he was the first cadet to win both the gold medal for being the best all round cadet and the silver medal for being first in order of merit.
He was commissioned at the Indian Military Academy into the 1st Battalion the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) where he received his basic grounding as a young officer. He thereafter took part in the Sino-Indian war of 1962, the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Wounded in the battle of Sylhet in Bangladesh, he overcame the disability of losing a leg and became the first disabled officer of the Indian Army to be approved for command of an infantry battalion and brigade. Thereafter, he commanded an Infantry Division and retired from this appointment as Chief of Staff of a Corps in the North East.
On retirement he worked in the area of Disability with an NGO and as Vice President of the War Wounded Foundation before being picked up by the Government of India and appointed as the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Council of India where he worked for nine years.
He has taken up writing as a hobby and his books ‘Param Vir’, ‘The Sinking of INS Khukri’, ‘The Bravest of the Brave – the Indian VCs of World War I’, ‘The Indian Army in World War I 1914-18’ and ‘Lieutenant General Bilimoria – His Life and Times’ have been widely acclaimed.
Julian Farrance
Julian Farrance is a career employee of the National Army Museum, working there since 2000. Initially in the education team, he spent three years in the
Julian Farrance is a career employee of the National Army Museum, working there since 2000. Initially in the education team, he spent three years in the comms team and has worked as the lead for the Museum’s liaison with the UK’s Regimental and Corps Museums for the last eleven years (with additional responsibility for International partnerships) In this role Julian provides direct support, training, advice and networking administration for the UK’s one hundred and forty five museums.
Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
Distinguished Fellow, VIFLt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma was commissioned in Gorkha Rifles in 1977, and had a career spanning forty years in the Army.
Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma was commissioned in Gorkha Rifles in 1977, and had a career spanning forty years in the Army. He has had extensive operational experience in Jammu and Kashmir, North East and on the Western Borders. The officer had trained the Botswana Army for three years in Africa, and attended the National War College at Abuja, Nigeria.
He was Research Fellow at Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and has done PhD in Defence Studies. General Rakesh Sharma commanded the Fire and Fury Corps in Ladakh responsible for Kargil, Siachin Glacier and Eastern Ladakh – facing both Pakistan and China.
The General was the Adjutant General of the Indian Army responsible for the Human Resource Management and superannuated in 2017.He is currently DISTINGUISHED FELLOW with Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and on the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and of Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC).
Maj Gen (Dr) Pawan Anand, AVSM (Retd)
Director, USI-CETANBMaj Gen (Dr) Pawan Anand, AVSM (Retd), was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers and was awarded the President’s Gold Medal at the National Defence Academy for being First in Order of Merit,
Maj Gen (Dr) Pawan Anand, AVSM (Retd), was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers and was awarded the President’s Gold Medal at the National Defence Academy for being First in Order of Merit, and later the Sword of Honour at the Indian Military Academy (IMA).
In an illustrious career, Gen Anand commanded an Armoured Engineer Regiment, an Engineer Brigade in a Strike Corps, and was Chief Engineer of South Western Command. During the Kargil War he controlled operations as Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade on the LC, and later was Col Adm in a Counter Insurgency Force. He has been an instructor at the IMA, and College of Military Engineering. He was selected for all apex level courses of the military including DSSC, HDMC and the NDC, and represented India in several delegations and cooperation conferences abroad. He has also held three appointments dealing with acquisitions and procurement. He has been awarded twice by the army and by President of India for his distinguished service
Gen Anand is a qualified Mechanical Engineer, Masters in Strategic Studies, and a Doctorate. After superannuating from the army, he was Secretary General of Highway Operators Association in the private sector. He is currently
• Director USI Centre for Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Technologies, at the USI of India looking at the intersection of Geopolitics/Geostrategy and Emerging Technologies (having recently pioneered its Cyber Centre of Excellence, and AI initiative), and Defence Industry. The Centre is currently conducting a study for the National Security Council Secretariat;
• a PhD Guide for Strategic Studies (Professor, University of Madras) and Mentor for Strategic Gaming Exercises at the National Defence College;
• an empanelled arbitrator with Delhi International Arbitration Council in the Bureaucrat Category.
• and a strategic advisor with corporate entities.
He has a number of publications to his credit and is a regular speaker at various national and international events on Geopolitics/Geostrategy, AI and Cybersecurity.
Sqn Ldr Rana Chhina, MBE (Retd)
Squadron Leader Rana TS Chhina served in the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot. He is currently Director of the Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS).
Squadron Leader Rana TS Chhina served in the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot. He is currently Director of the Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS). The author of a number of books, he was Vice President of the Indian Military Historical Society (2004-2020), and a member of the Government of India’s Archival Advisory Board. He is a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Independent Advisory Panel and is actively engaged in promoting the preservation of India’s rich tangible and intangible military heritage. A recipient of the Macgregor Medal for best military reconnaissance, he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2016 and an Officer of the Belgian Order of Leopold in 2018.