Ram Dass Katari - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:04, 4 December 2022
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=January ~~2022~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=January 2020}}
	{{Infobox officeholder		{{Infobox officeholder
	\| honorific_prefix = [[Admiral (India)\|Admiral]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[Admiral (India)\|Admiral]]
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	Upon the [[Independence of India]], Katari held the rank of [[Commander]] and was the Commanding officer of {{ship\|HMIS\|Kistna\|U46}}. He led the defence operations off the [[Kathiawar]] coast during the [[Indian integration of Junagadh\|integration of Junagadh]]. The Naval force consisted of three sloops - {{ship\|HMIS\|Kistna\|U46}}, {{ship\|HMIS\|Cauvery\|U10}} and {{ship\|HMIS\|Jumna\|U21}}, two fleet minesweepers - {{ship\|HMIS\|Konkan\|J228}} and {{ship\|HMIS\|Madras\|J237}}, the [[Motor Launch]] ML 420 and a tank landing craft.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Ministry of Defence \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-AUG-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-10-05_011.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=5 October 1947}}</ref>		Upon the [[Independence of India]], Katari held the rank of [[Commander]] and was the Commanding officer of {{ship\|HMIS\|Kistna\|U46}}. He led the defence operations off the [[Kathiawar]] coast during the [[Indian integration of Junagadh\|integration of Junagadh]]. The Naval force consisted of three sloops - {{ship\|HMIS\|Kistna\|U46}}, {{ship\|HMIS\|Cauvery\|U10}} and {{ship\|HMIS\|Jumna\|U21}}, two fleet minesweepers - {{ship\|HMIS\|Konkan\|J228}} and {{ship\|HMIS\|Madras\|J237}}, the [[Motor Launch]] ML 420 and a tank landing craft.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Ministry of Defence \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-AUG-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-10-05_011.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=5 October 1947}}</ref>

	In 1948, the cruiser {{ship\|INS\|Delhi\|C74}} was purchased from the United Kingdom. She was commissioned on 5 July 1948, with Captain H.N.S. Brown as the Commanding Officer and became the flagship of the Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Blueprint to bluewater, the Indian Navy, 1951-65 \|year=1992 \|publisher=Lancer International \|isbn=978-8170621485 \|page=30}}</ref> From July 1948 to early 1949, Katari served as the Commander ([[executive officer]]) of the cruiser, with [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda\|Lt S M Nanda]] as his [[first lieutenant]]. On 31 December 1948, Katari was promoted to acting [[Captain (Indian Navy)\|Captain]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Promotion of Officers in the RIN\|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-12-31_479.pdf\|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive\|date=31 December 1948\|access-date=26 January ~~2022~~}}</ref> In February 1949, the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) was re-organised and he was appointed the [[Chief of Personnel (India)\|Chief of Personnel]], taking over the post on 9 March.<ref>{{cite web \|title=NHQ Reorganised \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-02-03_040.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=3 February 1949}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=CAPTAIN KATARI BECOMES CHIEF OF PERSONNEL RIN \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-03-09_080.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=9 March 1949}}</ref> On 31 December 1949, he was promoted to the substantive rank of captain.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) \|page=93 \|date=14 January 1950\|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1950/O-2343-1950-0000-108637.pdf \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>		In 1948, the cruiser {{ship\|INS\|Delhi\|C74}} was purchased from the United Kingdom. She was commissioned on 5 July 1948, with Captain H.N.S. Brown as the Commanding Officer and became the flagship of the Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Blueprint to bluewater, the Indian Navy, 1951-65 \|year=1992 \|publisher=Lancer International \|isbn=978-8170621485 \|page=30}}</ref> From July 1948 to early 1949, Katari served as the Commander ([[executive officer]]) of the cruiser, with [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda\|Lt S M Nanda]] as his [[first lieutenant]]. On 31 December 1948, Katari was promoted to acting [[Captain (Indian Navy)\|Captain]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Promotion of Officers in the RIN\|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-12-31_479.pdf\|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive\|date=31 December 1948\|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> In February 1949, the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) was re-organised and he was appointed the [[Chief of Personnel (India)\|Chief of Personnel]], taking over the post on 9 March.<ref>{{cite web \|title=NHQ Reorganised \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-02-03_040.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=3 February 1949}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=CAPTAIN KATARI BECOMES CHIEF OF PERSONNEL RIN \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-03-09_080.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=9 March 1949}}</ref> On 31 December 1949, he was promoted to the substantive rank of captain.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) \|page=93 \|date=14 January 1950\|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1950/O-2343-1950-0000-108637.pdf \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>

	In November 1951, Katari was appointed Captain (D) 11th Destroyer Flotilla as well as the Commanding Officer of the lead destroyer of the squadron, {{ship\|INS\|Rajput\|D141}}. Apart from the ''Rajput'', the flotilla consisted of {{ship\|INS\|Ranjit\|1949}} and {{ship\|INS\|Rana\|1942}}. He succeeded Captain [[Ajitendu Chakraverti]] to the post.<ref>{{cite web \|title=CAPTAIN KATARI TO TAKE COMMAND OF DESTROYER FLOTILLA \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1951-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1951-11-26_221.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=26 November 1951}}</ref> In September 1952, Katari was selected to attend the [[Imperial Defence College]] and in early 1953, proceeded to [[United Kingdom]]. He was the first Indian Naval officer to be selected for the course. He attended the course with [[Air Vice Marshal]] (Later [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] & [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|CAS]]) [[Subroto Mukerjee]], the senior-most Indian Air Force officer.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1952-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1952-09-13_234.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=13 September 1952}}</ref> After the year-long course, he returned to India in early 1954 and was appointed the Deputy Commander-in-Chief in the rank of [[Commodore (India)\|Commodore]],<ref>{{cite web \|title=Two Senior Naval Officers promoted Commodores \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1953-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1953-12-05_387.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=5 December 1953}}</ref> assuming the post and rank on 18 March 1954.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing)\|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1954%20DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1954-03-24_009.pdf\|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive\|date=22 March 1954\|accessdate=29 October 2021}}</ref> During this stint, Katari officiated as the Commander-in-Chief in the acting rank of [[Rear Admiral]] and sat in on the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.{{sfn\|Katari\|1983}}		In November 1951, Katari was appointed Captain (D) 11th Destroyer Flotilla as well as the Commanding Officer of the lead destroyer of the squadron, {{ship\|INS\|Rajput\|D141}}. Apart from the ''Rajput'', the flotilla consisted of {{ship\|INS\|Ranjit\|1949}} and {{ship\|INS\|Rana\|1942}}. He succeeded Captain [[Ajitendu Chakraverti]] to the post.<ref>{{cite web \|title=CAPTAIN KATARI TO TAKE COMMAND OF DESTROYER FLOTILLA \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1951-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1951-11-26_221.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=26 November 1951}}</ref> In September 1952, Katari was selected to attend the [[Imperial Defence College]] and in early 1953, proceeded to [[United Kingdom]]. He was the first Indian Naval officer to be selected for the course. He attended the course with [[Air Vice Marshal]] (Later [[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] & [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)\|CAS]]) [[Subroto Mukerjee]], the senior-most Indian Air Force officer.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1952-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1952-09-13_234.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=13 September 1952}}</ref> After the year-long course, he returned to India in early 1954 and was appointed the Deputy Commander-in-Chief in the rank of [[Commodore (India)\|Commodore]],<ref>{{cite web \|title=Two Senior Naval Officers promoted Commodores \|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1953-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1953-12-05_387.pdf \|website=pibarchive.nic.in \|date=5 December 1953}}</ref> assuming the post and rank on 18 March 1954.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing)\|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1954%20DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1954-03-24_009.pdf\|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive\|date=22 March 1954\|accessdate=29 October 2021}}</ref> During this stint, Katari officiated as the Commander-in-Chief in the acting rank of [[Rear Admiral]] and sat in on the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.{{sfn\|Katari\|1983}}
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	Katari served as the Chairman of [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation]] (APSRTC) between December 1962 and May 1964.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Photo Gallery of A.P.S.R.T.C. - PEOPLE \|url=https://www.apsrtc.ap.gov.in/photo%20gallery.php# \|website=apsrtc.ap.gov.in}}</ref> In 1964 he was appointed India's [[Ambassador]] to [[Burma]], where he served for over five years.<ref name=apsrtc-people>{{cite web\|url=http://www.apsrtc.net/Events/Photo_Gallery/People.htm\|title=People\|publisher=Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation\|access-date=2011-10-19}}</ref> He was the first setter of [[The Hindu\|The Hindu Crossword]] and compiled the daily puzzles until his demise.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.crosswordunclued.com/2012/10/admiral-katari-hindu-crossword-setter.html\|title=Remembering Admiral Katari, the first crossword setter of The Hindu\|publisher=Crossword Unclued, 8 October 2012.}}</ref>{{sfn\|Katari\|1983}} He also authored a memoir of the formative years of the Indian Navy during his service, ''A Sailor Remembers''.		Katari served as the Chairman of [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation]] (APSRTC) between December 1962 and May 1964.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Photo Gallery of A.P.S.R.T.C. - PEOPLE \|url=https://www.apsrtc.ap.gov.in/photo%20gallery.php# \|website=apsrtc.ap.gov.in}}</ref> In 1964 he was appointed India's [[Ambassador]] to [[Burma]], where he served for over five years.<ref name=apsrtc-people>{{cite web\|url=http://www.apsrtc.net/Events/Photo_Gallery/People.htm\|title=People\|publisher=Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation\|access-date=2011-10-19}}</ref> He was the first setter of [[The Hindu\|The Hindu Crossword]] and compiled the daily puzzles until his demise.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.crosswordunclued.com/2012/10/admiral-katari-hindu-crossword-setter.html\|title=Remembering Admiral Katari, the first crossword setter of The Hindu\|publisher=Crossword Unclued, 8 October 2012.}}</ref>{{sfn\|Katari\|1983}} He also authored a memoir of the formative years of the Indian Navy during his service, ''A Sailor Remembers''.

	In 1968, the post of CNS was upgraded to the rank of full admiral, and on 21 October 1980, Katari and [[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman]], his successor as CNS, were promoted to the honorary rank of full [[Admiral (India)\|Admiral]] on the retired list by President [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]].<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) \|page=1360 \|date=29 November 1980\|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1980/O-1000-1980-0048-44616.pdf \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Former Naval Chiefs Honoured\|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1980-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1980-11-01_153.pdf\|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive\|date=3 November 1980\|access-date=29 January ~~2022~~}}</ref>		In 1968, the post of CNS was upgraded to the rank of full admiral, and on 21 October 1980, Katari and [[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman]], his successor as CNS, were promoted to the honorary rank of full [[Admiral (India)\|Admiral]] on the retired list by President [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]].<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) \|page=1360 \|date=29 November 1980\|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1980/O-1000-1980-0048-44616.pdf \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Former Naval Chiefs Honoured\|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1980-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1980-11-01_153.pdf\|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive\|date=3 November 1980\|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>

	==Personal life ==		==Personal life ==
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	==Death and legacy==		==Death and legacy==
	Katari died at Secunderabad on 21 January 1983, aged 71.<ref>{{cite news \|date=26 January 1983 \|title=Deaths \|work=The Times }}</ref> ''The Katari Memorial Hall'' at A/21, [[Sainikpuri]], near [[Secunderabad]], was dedicated to the memory of Admiral Katari on the event of his birth centenary on 8 October 2011.<ref name=deccan-katari>{{cite news\|url=http://www.thehyderabaddeccan.com/7-HEALTH:/2-LOCAL/7525-Inauguration-of-Katari-Memorial-heritage-Hall-at-Sainikpuri-Secunderabad.htm\|title=Inauguration of Katari Memorial heritage Hall at Sainikpuri Secunderabad\|publisher=The Hyderabad Deccan\|date=2011-10-07\|access-date=2011-10-19}}</ref> The ''Admiral R D Katari Marg'' in [[Sainikpuri]], [[Secunderabad]] where the [[College of Defence Management]] is located, is named after him, as is ''Katari Bagh'' in [[Willingdon Island]] in [[Kochi]].<ref>{{cite web \|last1=S \|first1=Priyadershini \|title=Memories of Cochin - Man behind Katari Bagh \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/memories-of-cochin-man-behind-katari-bagh/article822022.ece \|website=The Hindu \|language=en-IN \|date=10 October ~~2022~~}}</ref> The cadet's dining hall at the [[Indian Naval Academy]] is named after Katari.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mess \|url=https://www.ina.gov.in/?q=Food%20Mess \|website=ina.gov.in}}</ref> The ''Admiral RD Katari Trophy'' is awarded to the Sub Lieutenant placing first in overall merit during the ab-initio training. The Navy Foundation organises the ''ADM RD KATARI MEMORIAL LECTURE'' every year.<ref>{{cite web \|title=24th Admiral RD Katari Memorial Lecture {{!}} Indian Navy \|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/24th-admiral-rd-katari-memorial-lecture \|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=25 Th ADM RD katari Memorial Lecture at New Delhi \|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=136951 \|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=26TH ADM RD KATARI MEMORIAL LECTURE AT NEW DELHI ON 10 MAR 17 \|url=https://www.indiannavy.gov.in/desa/sites/default/files/News/26th%20Adm%20RD%20Katari%20Lecture.pdf \|website=indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref>		Katari died at Secunderabad on 21 January 1983, aged 71.<ref>{{cite news \|date=26 January 1983 \|title=Deaths \|work=The Times }}</ref> ''The Katari Memorial Hall'' at A/21, [[Sainikpuri]], near [[Secunderabad]], was dedicated to the memory of Admiral Katari on the event of his birth centenary on 8 October 2011.<ref name=deccan-katari>{{cite news\|url=http://www.thehyderabaddeccan.com/7-HEALTH:/2-LOCAL/7525-Inauguration-of-Katari-Memorial-heritage-Hall-at-Sainikpuri-Secunderabad.htm\|title=Inauguration of Katari Memorial heritage Hall at Sainikpuri Secunderabad\|publisher=The Hyderabad Deccan\|date=2011-10-07\|access-date=2011-10-19}}</ref> The ''Admiral R D Katari Marg'' in [[Sainikpuri]], [[Secunderabad]] where the [[College of Defence Management]] is located, is named after him, as is ''Katari Bagh'' in [[Willingdon Island]] in [[Kochi]].<ref>{{cite web \|last1=S \|first1=Priyadershini \|title=Memories of Cochin - Man behind Katari Bagh \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/memories-of-cochin-man-behind-katari-bagh/article822022.ece \|website=The Hindu \|language=en-IN \|date=10 October 2010}}</ref> The cadet's dining hall at the [[Indian Naval Academy]] is named after Katari.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Mess \|url=https://www.ina.gov.in/?q=Food%20Mess \|website=ina.gov.in}}</ref> The ''Admiral RD Katari Trophy'' is awarded to the Sub Lieutenant placing first in overall merit during the ab-initio training. The Navy Foundation organises the ''ADM RD KATARI MEMORIAL LECTURE'' every year.<ref>{{cite web \|title=24th Admiral RD Katari Memorial Lecture {{!}} Indian Navy \|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/24th-admiral-rd-katari-memorial-lecture \|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=25 Th ADM RD katari Memorial Lecture at New Delhi \|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=136951 \|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=26TH ADM RD KATARI MEMORIAL LECTURE AT NEW DELHI ON 10 MAR 17 \|url=https://www.indiannavy.gov.in/desa/sites/default/files/News/26th%20Adm%20RD%20Katari%20Lecture.pdf \|website=indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific prefix = [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]]
| name = R D Katari
| honorific suffix =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1911|10|08|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1983|1|21|1911|10|08}}
| birth_place = [[Chingleput]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj]] (now in [[Tamil Nadu]], India)
| death_place = [[Secunderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| placeofburial =
| image = File:Vice Admiral Ram Dass Katari.jpg
| caption =
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{flag|British Raj}} {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{navy|British Raj}} {{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of India.svg}} [[Indian Navy]]
| serviceyears = 1927–1962
| rank = [[File:IN_Admiral_Shoulder_curl.png|23px]] [[File:14-Indian Navy-ADM.svg|23px]]
[[Admiral (India)|Admiral]]
| commands = [[Western Fleet (India)|Indian Fleet]] {{ship|INS|Rajput|D141}} {{ship|HMIS|Kistna|U46}} {{ship|HMIS|Cauvery|U10}}
| unit =
| battles = [[World War II]] [[Liberation of Goa]]
|relations = [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] [[Laxminarayan Ramdas]] (Son-in-law)
| awards =
| laterwork = Ambassador to [[Burma]] Chairman, [[APSRTC]] Author, ''A Sailor Remembers''
}}
[[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] '''Ram Dass Katari''' (8 October 1911 – 21 January 1983) was an [[Indian Navy]] [[Admiral]] who served as the 4th [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]] (CNS) from 22 April 1958 to 4 June 1962. He was the first Indian to hold the office and succeeded the last British officer to the post, [[Stephen Hope Carlill|Vice Admiral Sir Stephen Hope Carlill]]. He led the Indian Navy in the conflict during the [[annexation of Goa]] against the [[Portuguese Navy]].

==Early life==
Katari was born in [[Chingleput]] in [[Madras Presidency]] on 8 October 1911 belong to balija caste. His father was an Assistant Civil Engineer employed with the Government of Madras Presidency. He spent most of his childhood and youth in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]. He was educated at [[Mahbub College High School]] and at [[Nizam College]] in Hyderabad.{{sfn|Katari|1983}}

==Naval career==
After graduation, Katari was in the first batch of Indian cadet-entry officers to join the Indian Mercantile Marine [[Training Ship Chanakya|Dufferin]] on its establishment in 1927. He topped the entrance examination. In the same batch was [[S. G. Karmarkar]], who also joined the Indian Navy and rose to the rank of [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]]. Katari finished the course earning the Viceroy's gold medal. Later, he was the first graduate of ''TS Dufferin'' to serve on its Governing Board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Captain Ram Dass Katari, IN |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1953-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1953-12-05_388.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=5 December 1953}}</ref>

===World War II===
On 23 September 1939, three weeks after the start of [[World War II]], Katari received a temporary commission as a probationary [[Sub Lieutenant]] in the Royal Indian Navy Reserve (RINR). He was assigned to the auxiliary patrol vessel HMIS ''Sandoway'' as its most junior officer on 11 May 1940.<ref>{{cite book|pages=1061|title=The Navy List: December 1941|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1941}}</ref> Promoted to temporary lieutenant on 23 September 1940, he was subsequently assigned to ''[[HMIS Dalhousie]]'', the naval gunnery school in Bombay.<ref>{{cite book|pages=1184|title=The Navy List: December 1942|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1942}}</ref> On 9 April 1943, he was posted to Karachi and assigned to HMIS ''Bahadur'', the Boys' Training Establishment for the RIN.<ref>{{cite book|pages=3030|title=The Navy List: April 1944|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1944}}</ref>

Katari served in surface fleets of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. He specialized in [[anti-submarine warfare]]. Later, he also served as an instructor at the Anti-Submarine Warfare School ''HMIS Machlimar'' in Mumbai.{{sfn|Abidi|Sharma|2007|p=105}}<ref>{{cite web |title=(1129) - Navy lists > Quarterly > 1945 > July > Volume 3 - British Military lists - National Library of Scotland |url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/93504730 |website=digital.nls.uk}}</ref> He was promoted to acting lieutenant-commander on 30 September 1944.<ref>{{cite book|pages=2106|title=The Navy List: July 1945|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1945}}</ref> At the end of the war, as a [[lieutenant-commander]], he was appointed the [[commanding officer]] of {{ship|HMIS|Cauvery|U10}} and led the mine clearance operations in the [[Andaman & Nicobar Islands]]. In early 1946, the 56th Services Selection Board was set up at [[Lonavla]] to screen the RINR and Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RINVR) officers for a permanent commission in the RIN. Katari was appointed Senior Group Staff Officer and later Deputy President of the board.{{sfn|Thomas|2019|p=59}} Later that year, Katari was appointed commander of the 37th minesweeping flotilla, which performed minesweeping operations in the [[Strait of Malacca]] and the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]].{{sfn|Sarma|2001|p=41}}

===Post-Independence===
Upon the [[Independence of India]], Katari held the rank of [[Commander]] and was the Commanding officer of {{ship|HMIS|Kistna|U46}}. He led the defence operations off the [[Kathiawar]] coast during the [[Indian integration of Junagadh|integration of Junagadh]]. The Naval force consisted of three sloops - {{ship|HMIS|Kistna|U46}}, {{ship|HMIS|Cauvery|U10}} and {{ship|HMIS|Jumna|U21}}, two fleet minesweepers - {{ship|HMIS|Konkan|J228}} and {{ship|HMIS|Madras|J237}}, the [[Motor Launch]] ML 420 and a tank landing craft.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ministry of Defence |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-AUG-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-10-05_011.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=5 October 1947}}</ref>

In 1948, the cruiser {{ship|INS|Delhi|1948}} was purchased from the United Kingdom. She was commissioned on 5 July 1948, with Captain H N S Brown as the Commanding Officer and became the flagship of the Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite book |title=Blueprint to bluewater, the Indian Navy, 1951-65 |year=1992 |publisher=Lancer International |isbn=978-8170621485 |page=30}}</ref> From July 1948 to early 1949, Katari served as the Commander ([[executive officer]]) of the cruiser, with [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda|Lt S M Nanda]] as his [[first lieutenant]]. On 31 December 1948, Katari was promoted to acting rank of [[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Promotion of Officers in the RIN|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-12-31_479.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=31 December 1948|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> In February 1949, the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) was re-organised and he was appointed the [[Chief of Personnel (India)|Chief of Personnel]], taking over the post on 9 March.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHQ Reorganised |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-02-03_040.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=3 February 1949}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CAPTAIN KATARI BECOMES CHIEF OF PERSONNEL RIN |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-03-09_080.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=9 March 1949}}</ref> On 31 December 1949, he was promoted to the substantive rank of captain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=93 |date=14 January 1950 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>

In November 1951, Katari was appointed Captain (D) 11th Destroyer Flotilla as well as the Commanding Officer of the lead destroyer of the squadron, {{ship|INS|Rajput|D141}}. Apart from the ''Rajput'', the flotilla consisted of {{ship|INS|Ranjit|1949}} and {{ship|INS|Rana|1942}}. He succeeded Captain [[Ajitendu Chakraverti]] to the post.<ref>{{cite web |title=CAPTAIN KATARI TO TAKE COMMAND OF DESTROYER FLOTILLA |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1951-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1951-11-26_221.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=26 November 1951}}</ref> In September 1952, Katari was selected to attend the [[Imperial Defence College]] and in early 1953, proceeded to [[United Kingdom]]. He was the first Indian Naval officer to be selected for the course. He attended the course with [[Air Vice Marshal]] (Later [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] & [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|CAS]]) [[Subroto Mukerjee]], the senior-most Indian Air Force officer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1952-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1952-09-13_234.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=13 September 1952}}</ref> After the year-long course, he returned to India in early 1954 and was appointed the Deputy Commander-in-Chief and promoted to [[Commodore (India)|Commodore]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Two Senior Naval Officers promoted Commodores |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1953-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1953-12-05_387.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=5 December 1953}}</ref> During this stint, Katari officiated as the Commander-in-Chief in the acting rank of [[Rear Admiral]] and sat in on the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.{{sfn|Katari|1983}}
<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral Pizey returns from United Kingdom |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1954%20DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1954-09-05_241.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=5 September 1954}}</ref>

In December 1955, the Government of India announced the appointment of Katari as the [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet|Flag Officer (Flotilla) Indian Fleet]]. He would be the first Indian Officer to command the fleet and take over in September 1956 from [[Rear Admiral]] [[St John Tyrwhitt]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=GBR|sep=,|KCB|DSO|DSC1}}}}. He was promoted to the acting rank of [[Rear Admiral]] on 12 March 1956.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=236 |date=24 November 1956 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> Before taking up the appointment, Katari embarked to the United Kingdom and Europe on a study tour. He visited Naval establishments, schools, shipyards and defence equipment production units. He visited the {{ship|HMS|Nigeria|60}} (later {{ship|INS|Mysore|C60}}) which was being purchased by the Indian Navy. He also visited shipyards and factories in [[Cologne]], [[Düsseldorf]], [[Hamburg]], [[Stuttgart]], [[Munich]] and [[Lübeck]].<ref>{{cite web |title=FIRST INDIAN TO COMMAND NAVAL FLEET COMMODORE KATARI'S NEW APPOINTMENT |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1955-JULY%20DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1955-12-24_265.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=24 December 1955}}</ref>{{sfn|Katari|1983}}
[[File:Adm Katari.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Adm R D Katari (right) taking command of the Navy from Adm S H Carlill on 22 April 1958 at NHQ.]]

On 2 October 1956, he was confirmed as a substantive rear admiral and became the first Indian officer to be appointed the [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet|Flag Officer (Flotilla) Indian Fleet]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=55 |date=2 March 1957 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> The transfer of command ceremony took place on board the flagship INS Delhi, berthed in the Naval Dockyard, [[Mumbai]]. His flag was hoisted on the INS Delhi at 8 A.M.<ref>{{cite web |title=ADMIRAL KATARI TAKES COMMAND OF INDIAN FLEET |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1956-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1956-10-02_138.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=2 October 1956}}</ref> It was on Katari's request that the transfer of command was fixed on 2 October, to coincide with [[Gandhi Jayanti]].{{sfn|Katari|1983}} In August 1957, INS Mysore was commissioned and Katari's flag was transferred from INS Delhi to INS Mysore, the new flagship of the Indian Fleet.<ref>{{cite book |title=Blueprint to bluewater, the Indian Navy, 1951-65 |year=1992 |publisher=Lancer International |isbn=9788170621485 |page=80}}</ref>

===Chief of Indian Naval Staff===
In February 1958, Katari was appointed the first Indian Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).<ref>{{cite web |title=FIRST INDIAN OFFICER TO COMMAND THE NAVY |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1959-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1958-02-03_088.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=3 February 1958}}</ref> On 22 April 1958, he was promoted to the rank of [[Vice Admiral]] and took command of the Indian Navy. His flag was hoisted on [[INS India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=CHANGE OF NAVAL COMMAND |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1959-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1958-04-18_236.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=18 April 1958}}</ref>

As CNS, he designed the framework for India's strategy for managing maritime security issues. During his tenure, the Indian Navy underwent a consolidation of its acquisitions, and established plans for its future growth. It also instituted improvements to training and operational effectiveness programs. India's first aircraft-carrier, {{INS|Vikrant|R11|6}}, was commissioned during his tenure.<ref>{{cite book |title=Blueprint to bluewater, the Indian Navy, 1951-65 |year=1992 |publisher=Lancer International |isbn=978-8170621485}}</ref> As CNS, he led the naval operations during the [[liberation of Goa]] from Portuguese rule in December 1961.

He retired as CNS on 4 June 1962.<ref name=irfc-katari>{{cite web|url=http://irfc-nausena.nic.in/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=80|title=Vice Admiral Ram Dass Katari|publisher=Information Resource Facilitation Centre, Indian Navy|access-date=2011-10-19}}</ref> He relinquished the post of CNS as a [[Vice Admiral]], then the highest rank in the Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral AK Chatterji Fellowship Book Release {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/admiral-ak-chatterji-fellowship-book-release |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref>

==Later life==
Katari served as the Chairman of [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation]] (APSRTC) between December 1962 and May 1964.<ref>{{cite web |title=Photo Gallery of A.P.S.R.T.C. - PEOPLE |url=https://www.apsrtc.ap.gov.in/photo%20gallery.php# |website=apsrtc.ap.gov.in}}</ref> In 1964 he was appointed India's [[Ambassador]] to [[Burma]], where he served for over five years.<ref name=apsrtc-people>{{cite web|url=http://www.apsrtc.net/Events/Photo_Gallery/People.htm|title=People|publisher=Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation|access-date=2011-10-19}}</ref> He was the first setter of [[The Hindu|The Hindu Crossword]] and compiled the daily puzzles till his demise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crosswordunclued.com/2012/10/admiral-katari-hindu-crossword-setter.html|title=Remembering Admiral Katari, the first crossword setter of The Hindu|publisher=Crossword Unclued, 8 October 2012.}}</ref>{{sfn|Katari|1983}} He also authored a memoir of the formative years of the Indian Navy during his service, ''A Sailor Remembers''.

In 1968, the post of CNS was upgraded to the rank of full admiral, and on 21 October 1980, Katari and [[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman]], his successor as CNS, were promoted to the honorary rank of full [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] on the retired list by President [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=1360 |date=29 November 1980 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Former Naval Chiefs Honoured|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1980-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1980-11-01_153.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=3 November 1980|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>

==Death and legacy==
Admiral Katari died at Secunderabad on 21 January 1983, aged 71.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 January 1983 |title=Deaths |work=The Times }}</ref> The Katari Memorial Hall at A/21, [[Sainikpuri]], near [[Secunderabad]], was dedicated to the memory of ADM Katari on the event of his birth centenary on 8 October 2011.<ref name=deccan-katari>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehyderabaddeccan.com/7-HEALTH:/2-LOCAL/7525-Inauguration-of-Katari-Memorial-heritage-Hall-at-Sainikpuri-Secunderabad.htm|title=Inauguration of Katari Memorial heritage Hall at Sainikpuri Secunderabad|publisher=The Hyderabad Deccan|date=2011-10-07|access-date=2011-10-19}}</ref> The ''Admiral R D Katari Marg'' in [[Sainikpuri]], [[Secunderabad]] where the [[College of Defence Management]] is located, is named after him, as is ''Katari Bagh'' in [[Willingdon Island]] in [[Kochi]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=S |first1=Priyadershini |title=Memories of Cochin - Man behind Katari Bagh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/memories-of-cochin-man-behind-katari-bagh/article822022.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=10 October 2010}}</ref> The cadet's dining hall at the [[Indian Naval Academy]] is named after Katari.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mess |url=https://www.ina.gov.in/?q=Food%20Mess |website=ina.gov.in}}</ref> The Navy Foundation organises the 'ADM RD KATARI MEMORIAL LECTURE' every year.<ref>{{cite web |title=24th Admiral RD Katari Memorial Lecture {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/24th-admiral-rd-katari-memorial-lecture |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=25 Th ADM RD katari Memorial Lecture at New Delhi |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=136951 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=26TH ADM RD KATARI MEMORIAL LECTURE AT NEW DELHI ON 10 MAR 17 |url=https://www.indiannavy.gov.in/desa/sites/default/files/News/26th%20Adm%20RD%20Katari%20Lecture.pdf |website=indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[K. M. Cariappa]]
* [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Subroto Mukerjee]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{citation|first1=Ram Dass|last1=Katari|title=A Sailor Remembers|year=1983|isbn=9780706920642|publisher=Vikas}}
*{{citation|first1=S H|last1=Sarma|title=My years at sea|year=2001|isbn=978-8170621218 |publisher=Lancer Publishers & Distributors}}
*{{citation|first1=Anup|last1=Thomas|title=Pride & Honour- Biography of Admiral R.L. Pereira, PVSM, AVSM|year=2019|isbn=978-8193600115|publisher=Southern Naval Command, Indian Navy}}
*{{citation|first1=S Sartaj Alam|last1=Abidi|first2= Satinder|last2=Sharma|title=Services Chiefs of India|year=2007|isbn=978-8172111625|publisher=Northern Book Centre}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of Personnel (India)|Chief of Personnel]]|years=1949-1951}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Benjamin Abraham Samson]]}}
{{s-bef|before=G A French}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Commander-in-Chief]]|years=1954–1955}}
{{s-non|reason=Office abolished}}
{{s-new|reason=Office created}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]]|years=1955–1956}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Ajitendu Chakraverti]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet]]|years=1956-1958}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]]|years=1958–1962}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[General (India)|General]] [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K S Thimayya]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]]|years=1961–1962}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Aspy Engineer]]}}
{{s-dip}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Ambassador of India to [[Burma]]|years=1964–1969}}
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{{s-end}}

{{Chief of Defence Staff (India)}}
{{Chief_of_the_Naval_Staff_(India)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Katari, Ram Dass}}
[[Category:Chiefs of the Naval Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Indian Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Personnel (India)]]
[[Category:Flag Officers Commanding Indian Fleet]]
[[Category:Deputy Chiefs of Naval Staff (India)]]
[[Category:1911 births]]
[[Category:1983 deaths]]
[[Category:Royal Indian Navy officers]]
[[Category:Date of death missing]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Myanmar|1964]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]