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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}} | {{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}} | ||
{{Infobox | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| | | honorific_prefix = [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] | ||
| name | | name = Ram Dass Katari | ||
| honorific suffix = | | honorific suffix = | ||
| birth_date | | birth_date = {{birth date|1911|10|08|df=y}} | ||
| death_date | | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1983|1|21|1911|10|08}} | ||
| birth_place | | birth_place = [[Chingleput]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj]]<br><small>(now in [[Tamil Nadu]], India)</small> | ||
| death_place | | death_place = [[Secunderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India | ||
| placeofburial = | | placeofburial = | ||
| image | | image = File:Vice Admiral Ram Dass Katari.jpg | ||
| caption | | caption = | ||
| nickname | | office = 5th Indian Ambassador to [[Myanmar|Burma]] | ||
| allegiance | | term_start = 1 June 1964 | ||
| branch | | term_end = 8 February 1969 | ||
| serviceyears | | president = [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan|S. Radhakrishnan]] <br> [[Zakir Husain (politician)|Zakir Husain]] | ||
| rank | | predecessor = R. S. Mani | ||
| successor = Baleshwar Prasad | |||
| office1 = 8th [[Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee]] | |||
| term_start1 = 7 May 1961 | |||
| term_end1 = 4 June 1962 | |||
| president1 = [[Rajendra Prasad]] <br> [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan|S. Radhakrishnan]] | |||
| primeminister1 = [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] <br> [[Gulzarilal Nanda]] (''acting'') | |||
| predecessor1 = [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K. S. Thimayya]] | |||
| successor1 = [[Aspy Engineer|A. M. Engineer]] | |||
| office2 = 3rd [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)]] | |||
| term_start2 = 22 April 1958 | |||
| term_end2 = 4 June 1962 | |||
| president2 = [[Rajendra Prasad]] <br> [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan|S. Radhakrishnan]] | |||
| primeminister2 = [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] <br> [[Gulzarilal Nanda]] (''acting'') | |||
| predecessor2 = [[Stephen Hope Carlill|S. H. Carlill]] | |||
| successor2 = [[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman|B. S. Soman]] | |||
| nickname = | |||
| allegiance = {{flag|British India}}<br>{{flag|India}} | |||
| branch = {{navy|British India}}<br/>{{navy|India}} | |||
| serviceyears = 1927–1962 | |||
| rank = [[File:IN_Admiral_Shoulder_curl.png|23px]] [[File:14-Indian Navy-ADM.svg|23px]] | |||
[[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] | [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] | ||
| commands | | commands = [[Western Fleet (India)|Indian Fleet]] <br/> {{ship|INS|Rajput|D141}} <br/> {{ship|HMIS|Kistna|U46}} <br/> {{ship|HMIS|Cauvery|U10}} | ||
| unit | | unit = | ||
| battles | | battles = [[World War II]] <br/> [[Liberation of Goa]] | ||
|relations | | relations = [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] [[Laxminarayan Ramdas]]<br/>(Son-in-law) | ||
| awards | | awards = | ||
| | | military_blank1 = Later work(s) | ||
| military_data1 = {{plainlist| | |||
* [[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 | }} | ||
[[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] '''Ram Dass Katari''' (8 October 1911 – 21 January 1983) was an [[Indian Navy]] [[Admiral]] who served as the 3rd [[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]]. | |||
A member of the first batch of cadets to attend the Indian Mercantile Marine [[Training Ship Dufferin]], he earned the Viceroy's gold medal and joined the | |||
Hooghly River Survey of the [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] Port Commissioners. In 1939, he joined the Royal Indian Naval Reserve and served on board the ''HMIS Sandoway''. He then served at the gunnery school [[HMIS Dalhousie]], the boys' training school ''HMIS Bahadur'' and was an instructor at HMIS Machlimar. At the end of the war, he commanded {{ship|HMIS|Cauvery|U10}}. | |||
After the [[Independence of India]], he commanded {{ship|HMIS|Kistna|U46}} and the naval force during the [[Indian integration of Junagadh]]. In 1948, he served as the [[executive officer]] of the [[flagship]] {{ship|HMIS|Delhi|C74}}. Promoted to acting [[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] in December 1948, he was appointed [[Chief of Personnel (India)|Chief of Personnel]] at NHQ. In 1951, he took command of the {{ship|INS|Rajput|D141}} and the 11th Destroyer Flotilla. After attending the Imperial Defence College in 1953, he returned to India and was appointed [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Commander-in-Chief]]. | |||
In 1956, he was promoted to flag rank and appointed [[Flag Officer (Flotillas) Indian Fleet]]. After commanding the Indian fleet for two years, he was appointed Chief of the Naval Staff. He served a full term as Chief and his tenure saw the commissioning of India's first aircraft carrier {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}} and the [[liberation of Goa]]. After his retirement, he served as the Chairman of [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation]] (APSRTC). From 1964 to 1969, he was India's ambassador to [[Burma]]. | |||
He had many firsts to his credit: the first Indian naval officer to attend the [[Imperial Defence College]], in 1953; the first Indian to be promoted to flag rank in the navy, in 1956; the first Indian to command the Indian fleet, in 1956; and finally, the first to Indian to command the Navy itself, in 1958. | |||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Katari was born in [[Chingleput]] in [[Madras Presidency]] on 8 October 1911 | Katari was born in [[Chingleput]] in [[Madras Presidency]] on 8 October 1911. 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== | ==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> | ===Dufferin and the mercantile marine=== | ||
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> He was selected by the [[Kolkata port|Calcutta Port Commissioners]] to join the ''Hooghly River Survey''. The river survey kept track of the shifting river bed of the [[Hooghly river]]. Working on [[survey ships]]s owned by the Port Commissioners, he rose to head surveys independently.{{sfn|katari|1983}} | |||
===World War II=== | ===World War II=== | ||
In mid-1939, with the outbreak of the [[World War II]], he applied for a commission in the Royal Indian Navy Reserve (RINR). On 23 September 1939, Katari received a temporary commission as a probationary [[Sub Lieutenant]] in the 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}} | 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}} | ||
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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| | 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 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}} | ||
<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> | <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 [[ | ===Fleet Commander=== | ||
In December 1955, the Government of India announced the appointment of Katari as the [[Flag Officer (Flotillas) 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 |url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1956/O-2164-1956-0047-98758.pdf |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.]] | [[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 [[ | On 2 October 1956, he was confirmed as a substantive rear admiral and became the first Indian officer to be appointed the [[Flag Officer (Flotillas) Indian Fleet]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=55 |date=2 March 1957|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1957/O-2125-1957-0009-96375.pdf |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=== | ===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> | 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 (India)|Vice Admiral]] and took command of the Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Navy Branch) |page=136 |date=14 June 1958|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1958/O-2068-1958-0024-93594.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> 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| | 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|1961|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> | 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== | ==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 | 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 2020}}</ref> | |||
==Personal life == | |||
Katari married Dhanam Katari (née Chalam). They had two children - a daughter Lalita, and a son, Ravi. Lalita married his [[flag lieutenant]] [[Laxminarayan Ramdas]]. Ramdas later went on to become the 13th Chief of Naval Staff.{{sfn|Katari|1983}} | |||
==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 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== | ||