Devendra Kumar Joshi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Admiral
Devendra Kumar Joshi
PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM
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![]() Official portrait, 2012
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14th Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands | |
Assumed office 8 October 2017 |
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President | |
Preceded by | Jagdish Mukhi |
21st Chief of the Naval Staff | |
In office 31 August 2012 – 26 February 2014 |
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Appointed by | Pranab Mukherjee |
Preceded by | Nirmal Kumar Verma |
Succeeded by | Robin K. Dhowan |
Personal details | |
Born | Almora, Uttarakhand, India |
4 July 1954
Residence | Raj Niwas, Port Blair |
Occupation | Naval officer |
Awards | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1974–2014 |
Rank | ![]() ![]() |
Commands | Western Naval Command Andaman and Nicobar Command Eastern Fleet INS Viraat (R22) INS Ranvir (D54) INS Kuthar (P46) |
Devendra Kumar Joshi (born July 4, 1954) is a former Admiral in the Indian Navy who now serves as the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency, a group that works on improving the islands.
He became the 21st Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy on August 31, 2012. He was an expert in anti-submarine warfare. Admiral Joshi resigned from his post on February 26, 2014. He took responsibility for a number of accidents involving naval ships, becoming the first Indian Navy Chief to ever resign.
In 2020, he joined the Uttarakhand War Memorial as a patron to honor soldiers from his home state. He also donated the money he receives for his bravery awards to support the memorial.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Devendra Kumar Joshi was born in Almora, Uttarakhand, on July 4, 1954. His father, Hira Ballabh Joshi, was an officer in the Indian Forest Service. Because of his father's job, Devendra attended many different schools as a child.
He later studied at Hansraj College in Delhi. While there, he was selected to join the Indian Navy in 1972 and officially became an officer in 1974.
When asked why he chose the Navy, he said, "I think it was the lure of the seas, the pull of the unknown...we belong to the hills. Of the land, the hilly terrains, one had seen enough!" He was the first person in his family in seven generations to join the armed forces.
Joshi graduated from the Indian Naval Academy. He also studied at top military colleges in India and the United States, including the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
After a long and successful career, Joshi was promoted to be the 21st Chief of Naval Staff, the highest position in the Indian Navy. He started this job on August 31, 2012.
A Responsible Resignation
Admiral Joshi resigned on February 26, 2014, after a fire on the submarine INS Sindhuratna. He was known for being a strict leader who expected high standards. By resigning, many other naval officers felt he was living up to his own high standards of taking responsibility.
Leading the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
On October 8, 2017, Joshi became the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This territory is made up of 836 islands in the Bay of Bengal. He also serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA).
Developing the Islands
The IDA was created in 2017 to help plan and manage the development of India's islands. The agency works to improve the islands while protecting their unique natural environments.
One major project was the new terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, which opened in July 2023. This new terminal allows the airport to handle many more passengers and larger planes.
Major Development Projects
Two huge projects are planned for the islands:
- Great Nicobar Island Development Project: This is a large project to build new infrastructure on Great Nicobar Island.
- International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP): Also known as Galathea Bay Port, this will be a massive port for transferring cargo containers between large ships. It is being built at Galathea Bay, which has deep water perfect for a port. It was named India's 13th major port in September 2024, with the first part expected to open in 2028.
Awards and Recognition
Admiral Joshi has received many medals for his service to the nation.
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Param Vishisht Seva Medal | Ati Vishisht Seva Medal | Yudh Seva Medal | Nausena Medal |
Vishisht Seva Medal | Paschimi Star | Operation Vijay Star | Sangram Medal |
Operation Vijay Medal | Operation Parakram Medal | Sainya Seva Medal | 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal |
25th Anniversary of Independence Medal | 30 Years Long Service Medal | 20 Years Long Service Medal | 9 Years Long Service Medal |