Summarizing Some of The Milestones of a Remarkable Career & Journey of Late Commodore (Retd) Rajan Vir

Rajan served in the Navy at all levels, including as Direction Officer INS Vikrant, commissioning and commanding INS Kuthar and Deepak, Naval Attache in Indonesia, and then DNI, a job this blogger did. It's a make-or-break job. 

He transferred to the Merchant Navy and retired in Pune to set up the Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF).  Sadly, he lost his wife to an unfortunate accident when she was out for a walk. He settled his three children and their families. Son Atul is an entrepreneur in Houston; his son Rahul is a Vice President with the Marriott Group in Florida and controls 68 Hotels in South America; and his daughter Naina lives in Pune.

Founder President, Indian Maritime Foundation 1993

Founder President, Society of Indian Maritime Artists 2002

Got selected as a Cadet for the Royal Indian Navy in 1949 and did Basic Naval training at Cochin [Kochi] for 3 months (June to August 1949)

Then, 4 months of intensive training at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK (September to December 1949) and on HMS Devonshire for 10 months (January to October 1950). during HMS Devonshire’s visit to Oslo Port and on the aircraft carrier HMS Glory, which went to the Korean War in 1953. Rajan was assigned to HMS Glory, a light Fleet Carrier (more or less the same size as the later-acquired INS Vikrant) for 16 months (November 1950 to March 1952). After coming back to India in 1953, he was assigned to INS Kistna. for 6 months to get his watchkeeping certificate.

Promoted to Sub-lieutenant in 1952. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1954 and selected as the Naval Aide-de-Camp to the 1st President of the Republic of India, the illustrious Dr. Rajendra Prasad (from April 1956 until January 1958).

Rajan Vir married Gita Hiranandani in Mumbai (December 1957) and ajan served as Direction. In 1967 he was deputed to the Naval Staff

Course at the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich. There he got acquainted with many international participants from the US, Canada,Germany, Iran, Thailand, Pakistan, and some other navies. While undergoing this course, Rajan was appointed Acting Commander

in December 1967, Directing Staff [DS] at the Staff College in Wellington,

and was confirmed in 1969. In those days, you were acting Cdr and hoped to get confirmed if nothing went wrong.

 Promoted as Commanding Officer [C.O.] of Frigate INS Kuthar (1970-71),

 Appointed Naval Attache’ in Indonesia for 3 years (1971-74). Promoted

 Captain of INS Deepak, the Navy’s Fleet Tanker (1974). INS  Deepak was

invited to Independence Day Celebrations of Mauritius and later, during

the PM Indira Gandhi’s visit to Maldives, for an official visit to Maldives

along with the flagship INS Mysore. After she came on board INS Deepak,

Mrs Gandhi was taken on a sightseeing tour of the Islands by the ship’s

helicopter, which was the highlight of her visit.

In 1976-77, Rajan was appointed Director of Naval Intelligence [DNI], and

then the Director of Personal Services [DPS] in 1977-78.