Port Blair, Dec 1: Vice Admiral Bimal Verma AVSM, ADC, the 13th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN) & Indian Navy’s senior most officer has retired from service today, leaving behind a legacy and some milestones in his illustrious career spanning four decades. He had taken over the appointment from Vice Admiral Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee PVSM, AVSM, NM, ADC on 29th Febreuary 2016. Lieutenant General Podali Shankar Rajeshwar AVSM, VSM, ADC will take over as the CINCAN with effect from 01 Dec 2019.
During his tenure as CINCAN extending for almost four years, Vice Admiral Verma has set benchmarks which will now guide the next generation of leaders. Successful conduct of the maiden and the second editions of the Defence of Andaman and Nicobar Exercise (DANX) in November 2017 and October 2019 respectively and focus on ANC’s operational capability and its role in the furtherance of India’s “Act East” policy through regular foreign co-operation exercises/interactions as well as multi-national exercises such as MILAN 18 were landmark events conducted under his leadership.
During his tenure as CINCAN, Vice Admiral Verma oversaw the building up of force levels including men, weapons and equipment in furtherance of the Command’s goals. The induction of FDN-2, the second Floating Dock of the Indian Navy under his supervision has boosted the refit and docking capability of ANC to fulfil the needs of not only Naval and Coast Guard ships, but also of merchant ships, which was proved during the emergency docking of MV Bharat Seema. He has also initiated several important projects of strategic significance to improve inter-island connectivity for the general populace of A & N Islands.
Under Vice Admiral Verma’s directions, the personnel and assets of the Command actively participated in relief operations during various natural calamities such as Cyclone Phethai last year and Cyclone Vardah in 2016, wherein over 1000 tourists were evacuated from SwarajDweep and ShaheedDweep, as well as in the joint survey of all the 648 islands along with the Forest, Police and Revenue Departments in difficult conditions. He also oversaw the rescue of crew members of MV Panther in 2017 and the damage control assistance provided to MV Chauldhari in 2018. All requests of humanitarian nature by the local Administration on various occasions were expeditiously responded to, such as medical evacuations of civilian populace from far-flung islands as well as rescue of people from the sea, including the recent rescue of a pregnant lady from Kamorta.
Towards improving the quality of life of families of the personnel of ANC, Vice Admiral BimalVerma has ensured the upgradation of medical facilities at INHS Dhanvantari, such as installation of a Telemedicine Node, induction of a Cardiac Care Ambulance and increase in availability of specialist doctors.
For his distinguished service, Vice Admiral BimalVerma has been awarded the AtiVishishtSeva Medal (AVSM) in January 2012 and appointed as anhonourary Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India in November 2017.
Vice Admiral BimalVerma is married to Mrs.SeemaVerma, who has more than supported him to look after the welfare of the families of personnel of ANC in her role as the President, Defence Wives’ Welfare Association (DWWA) (Regional). She has spearheaded several campaigns to raise social awareness among the populace of the A & N Islands such as Segregated Waste Management, which received recognition at the National level, registration for Voluntary Organ Donation by almost 3000 personnel and families, Blood Donation Camps at various locations on the islands, etc. A multi-talented lady, in addition to being an excellent singer, she is an adventurist and passionately pursued diving across the islands.