Arup Raha
Former chief of the Indian Air Force
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Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, (Bengali: অরূপ রাহা) is an Indian Air Force veteran and was the 21st Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force and served from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016.[2] He was also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, a post occupied by India's senior-most military officer, who advises the government and ensures jointsmanship in the armed forces.[4][5] Currently, he is the Chancellor of Assam University.
Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Arup Raha | |
|---|---|
অরূপ রাহা | |
Official portrait, 2014 | |
| 54th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee | |
| In office 31 July 2014 – 31 December 2016 | |
| President | Pranab Mukherjee |
| Preceded by | Bikram Singh |
| Succeeded by | Sunil Lanba |
| 21st Chief of Air Staff | |
| In office 31 December 2013[1] – 31 December 2016 | |
| President | Pranab Mukherjee |
| Preceded by | Norman Anil Kumar Browne |
| Succeeded by | Birender Singh Dhanoa |
| 37th Vice Chief of Air Staff | |
| In office 1 July 2013 – 31 December 2013 | |
| President | Pranab Mukherjee |
| Preceded by | Dinesh Chandra Kumaria |
| Succeeded by | Ravi Kant Sharma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 December 1954 Baidyabati, West Bengal, India |
| Spouse | Lily Raha |
| Children | Atanu Raha, Anusree Raha |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1975–2016 |
| Rank |  Air Chief Marshal[2] |
| Commands | Western Air Command Central Air Command AFS Bathinda AFS Adampur 47 Squadron IAF |
| Battles/wars | Kargil War |
| Awards | |
Early life and education
Raha was born in a Bengali Kayastha family on 26 December 1954 in the city of Baidyabati, West Bengal. His father was a doctor. He was educated at Sainik School Purulia (1970 batch).[6][7][8]
Military training
Raha was trained at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, India, from July 1970 to June 1973, and at the time of graduating from NDA in June 1973, he was awarded the Gold Medal for being the best cadet of the 44th NDA course. Subsequently, he did flying training on HT-2 and Kiran ( HJT-16 ) at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, before being commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in Dec 1974. After flying Hunters in Operational Conversion Unit, he went on to fly Mig -21 aircraft.
Military career
Raha has flown a wide variety of combat and trainer aircraft. After initial training on the HAL HT-2, he has flown the MIG-21 and MIG-29 aircraft and has commanded a MiG-29 fighter squadron and two frontline airbases along India's Western front. As on 2 April 2010, he had 3,400 hours of flying experience.[5] Raha previously served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force[9] and as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Western Air Command,[3] and that of the Central Air Command.[5] He has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command and Deputy Commandant at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.[10]
Raha has held many important staff appointments in India and abroad.
Notable appointments held
| Name of Appointment | Rank | Insignia | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief of Air Staff | Air Chief Marshal | | 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016 |
| Vice Chief of Air Staff | Air Marshal |  | 1 July 2013 to 31 Dec 2013 |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command of the IAF | Air Marshal | | 1 June 2012 to 30 June 2013 |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command of the IAF | Air Marshal | | 2 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012 |
| Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command | Air Vice Marshal |  | till 1 Nov 2011 |
| Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School, Tambaram | Air Commodore |  | Unknown |
| Commanding Officer of No: 47 Squadron IAF Black Archers | Wing Commander |  | 8 June 1992 to 5 June 1994 |
Personal life
Arup Raha is married to Lily Raha and they have two children. The son, Atanu, is a commercial pilot who is married to Sanskriti Chatterjee Raha, a professional Kathakali dancer. The daughter, Anusree Raha, is an Indian Economic Service officer and a TEDx speaker, and is married to Bodhisattwa Biswas, an alumnus of Indian School of Business.[11][12]
Awards and decorations
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In 2018, the state-run Sidho Kanho Birsha University awarded Arup Raha with an honorary D.Litt. degree during its convocation ceremony.[13]
