LIEUTENANT GENERAL NARENDRA KOTWAL, AVSM SM, VSM, DIR & COMDT, ARMED FORCES MEDICAL COLLEGE, PUNE SUPERANNUATES

Lieutenant General Narendra Kotwal, AVSM, SM, VSM relinquished the appointment of Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune on 30 April 2024 on superannuating after over 37 years of illustrious service in the Armed Forces. An alumnus of Government Medical College, Jammu, the General Officer completed MD in Medicine from AFMC in 1992, followed by Diplomate of National Board in Medicine. He is a Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (MNAMS). He acquired Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in Endocrinology in 2000 from PGIMER Chandigarh. An alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi, the General Officer was awarded an M.Phil in Defence and Strategic studies in 2016.

A clinician, administrator and leader par excellence, the General Officer had the distinction of holding prestigious academic, clinical, and administrative appointments including Senior Advisor (Medicine) & Endocrinologist at the Army Hospital Research & Referral, New Delhi and at Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune ; Commandant, Armed Forces Clinic, New Delhi, Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Medical) and Major General (Medical) at Madhya Bharat Area, Jabalpur

He had the distinction of providing medical care to four honorable Presidents of India. He was also the Member of Specialist Committee under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana; Advisor, UPSC for empanelment of advisors; Member, Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Presently he is the President (elect) of the Endocrinology Society of India and has served as the Vice President, Endocrinology Society of India and as Secretary, Indian Thyroid Society.

Highly decorated, the General Officer was conferred with ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ in January 2024, ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ in 2016 and ‘Sena Medal’ in 2019. He has also been conferred with Chief of Army Staff Commendation in 2007, 2012 and in 2014; Vice Chief of Army Staff Commendation in 2008; Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to The Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Commendation in 2013 and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Western Command) Commendation in 2006.

It was during his tenure as Director & Commandant that AFMC, the unit was awarded the President’s Colour by Smt Droupadi Murmu, Honourable President of India on 01 Dec 2023 and the Chief of Defence Staff Unit Citation by General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on 18 Mar 2024. Other notable achievements during his tenure were the AFMC’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the commissioning of 108 Ft National Flag AFMC, facilitated by the Flag Foundation of India, and the launch of the first ever API-AFMS chapter, inaugurated by Honorable cabinet minister Dr Jitender Singh.

The General Officer is also an avid blogger, literary writer, poet, lyricist and sportsman. Under his patronage numerous sports and fitness initiatives were instituted for the benefit of one and all.

Lt Gen Daljit Singh, AVSM, VSM, PHS, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) & Senior Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps and other senior officers of the Armed Forces Medical Services veterans congratulated General Kotwal for superannuating from the Armed Forces after more than 37 years of an illustrious career dedicated to the service of the nation and the armed forces.