Rustom K. S. Ghandhi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vice Admiral
R. K. S. Ghandhi
PVSM, VrC
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Vice Admiral R. K. S. Ghandhi
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| 5th Governor of Himachal Pradesh | |
| In office 17 April 1986 – 15 February 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Prabodh Dinkarrao Desai (Additional charge) |
| Succeeded by | S. M. H. Burney (Additional charge) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 July 1924 Jubbulpore, Jubbulpore Division, Central Provinces, British India (present-day Jabalpur, Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh, India) |
| Died | 23 December 2014 (aged 90) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Awards |  Param Vishisht Seva Medal Vir Chakra |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British India India |
| Branch/service |  Royal Indian Navy Indian Navy |
| Years of service | 1943 - 1979 |
| Rank | _OF-8.svg){kind=small}  Vice Admiral |
| Commands | Western Naval Command Western Fleet Eastern Fleet INS Mysore INS Khukri INS Betwa INS Kaveri |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Annexation of Goa |
Vice Admiral Rustom Khushro Shapur 'Rusi' Ghandhi (born July 1, 1924 – died December 23, 2014) was a very important officer in the Indian Navy. He was known for being the only officer to lead ships in all major wars and conflicts that India had after gaining independence. He led the ship INS Betwa (1959) during the Annexation of Goa, the ship INS Khukri (F149) during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and the ship INS Mysore (C60) during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
After leaving the Indian Navy in 1979, he became the head of the Shipping Corporation of India. Later, in 1986, he was chosen to be the fifth Governor of Himachal Pradesh. He also served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rustom Khushro Shapur Ghandhi was born in 1924 in Jabalpur, India. His parents were Khushro Shapur Ghandhi and Dina Dhunji Shah Amroliwalah. He finished his studies at St. Joseph's College in Nainital in 1941. After studying for another year at Allahabad University, he joined the Royal Indian Navy as an officer cadet on January 1, 1943.
Ghandhi became a midshipman on September 1, 1943. A midshipman is a junior officer rank. He served on a ship called HMS Suffolk (55), which was looking for German ships in the Atlantic Ocean. Later, he was on HMS Wakeful (1943), which was fighting against Japanese oil factories in Indonesia. On May 1, 1945, he was promoted to acting sub-lieutenant. He was in Tokyo Bay when Japan surrendered, ending World War II.
After the war, he came back to India. He became a special assistant, called a Flag lieutenant, to the head of the Royal Indian Navy. In February 1947, Lord Louis Mountbatten became the Governor-General of India. Ghandhi was chosen to be his aide-de-camp (ADC), which means he was a personal assistant to the Governor-General.
After India Became Independent
As an ADC, Ghandhi was with Governor-General Mountbatten at Viceroy's House on August 15, 1947. This was the day India declared its independence. He was promoted to acting lieutenant-commander on June 30, 1952. In 1954, he was selected to attend the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. In 1957, he became the commanding officer of the ship INS Kaveri. He was promoted to commander on December 31, 1958.
Role in the Liberation of Goa
In 1961, Commander Ghandhi took charge of the ship INS Betwa (1959). He played a very important part in "Operation Vijay," which was the 1961 Indian annexation of Goa. This operation ended 451 years of Portuguese rule in Goa. The Betwa was the main ship during the naval battle at Mormugão Harbour.
During the battle, the Portuguese ship Afonso de Albuquerque was hit. Its captain was badly injured. The Portuguese crew then left their ship and surrendered on December 19, 1961. As a sign of friendship, Commander Ghandhi and another commander visited the injured Portuguese captain in the hospital. They gave him gifts like brandy and chocolates. In return, the Portuguese captain gave Commander Ghandhi the keys to his cabin as a sign of surrender.
Ghandhi commanded the Betwa for about two years. After that, he went to the Naval War College in the United States. When he returned, he was promoted to acting Captain on August 31, 1964. In 1965, he became the Captain of the 14th frigate squadron and the commanding officer of the ship INS Khukri (F149). He was promoted to the full rank of captain on December 31, 1966. In 1969, he took command of the large ship INS Mysore (C60).
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
During the 1971 war, INS Mysore became the main ship of the Western Fleet. Captain Ghandhi was awarded the Vir Chakra for his bravery and leadership during this war. The Vir Chakra is a high military award for courage.
His award citation said that Captain Ghandhi, as the leader of the Western Fleet, kept the enemy ships away from the port of Karachi. This helped India win the operations. It praised his courage, leadership, and dedication to duty.
After the War
After the war, Ghandhi became the Naval Advisor for India in the United Kingdom. He worked at India House, London, which is where the Indian High Commission is located.
Reaching Flag Rank
After two years in London, he was promoted to acting Rear Admiral in January 1975. He was put in charge of the Eastern Fleet. Later that year, he moved to Mumbai and took command of the Western Fleet. He is the only officer to have led both of the Indian Navy's main fleets.
In February 1976, Ghandhi became acting Vice Admiral. He moved to Naval Headquarters to become the Chief of Personnel, which means he was in charge of all naval staff. On January 26, 1977, he received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal. This medal is given for outstanding service. In April 1977, he became the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
After retiring from the Indian Navy, Ghandhi worked as a consultant for the movie The Sea Wolves. He even had a small role in the film, playing the Governor of Goa. He also served as the Captain Commandant of the executive branch until 1984. From 1981 to 1986, he was the Chairman of the Shipping Corporation of India.
Political Career
From April 1986 to February 1990, Vice Admiral Ghandhi served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. He lived with his wife at Raj Bhavan in Shimla. During his time as Governor, he and his wife made many improvements to Raj Bhavan. This included fixing up the billiard room and the Durbar Hall, and building a gazebo. After his time as Governor, Vice Admiral Ghandhi was a member of the National Commission for Minorities from 1993 to 1996.
Personal Life
R. K. S. Ghandhi married Khorshed "Bubbles" Kharegat on January 1, 1949. She passed away in 2011. They had three children named Sandy, Yasmine, and Delna. He was the oldest of five brothers.
Death
Admiral Ghandhi passed away peacefully at his home in Mumbai on December 23, 2014, at the age of 90. He was buried at sea in the Arabian Sea on December 27, 2014, from the ship INS Vipul.
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Vice Admiral R. K. S. Ghandhi
