Lieutenant General M.M. Lakhera is no more…
Lieutenant General Madan Mohan Lakhera passed away today in Dehradun at the age of 89. General Lakhera served in the Indian Army at the highest rank of Lieutenant General and was Chief of the Northern Army Command. He also served as Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territories of Pondicherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Governor of Mizoram.
Born in 1937 in Jakhand village, Kirti Nagar development block, Tehri Garhwal district, the son of Jayanand Lakhera, Lakhera was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1958. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service. He led the army on various fronts during the 1965 and 1971 wars.
After retirement, the Government of India entrusted him with important responsibilities. First, he served as Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry and the Andaman Islands, and then as Governor of Mizoram from 2006 to 2011.
People of Tehri Garhwal know him as the younger brother of Bhudev Lakhera, a freedom fighter and former District Panchayat President of Tehri and a senior Congress leader. In the 1990s, he is remembered for organizing special army recruitment rallies in addition to routine army recruitment in the hilly region.
Whether as an army officer or in his later years, after retirement, during important assignments like Governor, he maintained a low profile. He didn’t like being in the spotlight and quietly continued with his work. The writer interviews Lakheraji when he was the Lt governor of of Mizoram.
A highly learned personality very few people know that prior to his assignment as governor Lt. General Lakhera was the All India chief of the AICC ‘s ex Defence personel front and used to function from his office at 24 Akbar Road.
The Air Vice Marshal,VSM ( veteran) Rajesh Bhandari while expressing his deepest condolences said :
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Lt Gen M.M. Lakhera, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, former Governor of Mizoram and Puducherry.
He was an exceptional soldier, a distinguished leader, and a true patriot whose service to the Nation will always be remembered with great respect and admiration.
My heartfelt condolences to Alka Ji, Anupama Ji, Archana Ji, Anvita Ji and the entire bereaved family. May the Almighty grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss.
Om Shanti. 🙏
