LT Gen Rajiv Bhalla (Retired)
PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, CEO of BRICS Football Tournament 2016
- Lt Gen Rajiv Bhalla was commissioned into the Indian Army in Jun 76. a career spanning nearly 40 years, he has held a number of prestigious appointments before retiring from the service in the appointment of Military Secretary, a Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Army Staff. The officer has had varied operational/administrative experiences with tenures at Training institutions including Bhutan and Army Headquarters in Important assignments.
- A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has done important professional courses to include Strategic Level Courses at South African Defence College and Royal College of Defence Studies, UK, besides the Higher Command Course at Army War College, Mhow,.
- The officer has served in counter insurgency operational areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Island territories of Andaman and Nicobar Island and Commanded Formations in High Altitude Area of Kargil (J&K). He has extreme understanding of the nuances of strategic issues, both political and military, relating to the uncertain situation and existing policies with reference to J & K.
- He was appointed as an Advisor in the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and AICS for nearly three years till June 2018 and worked towards deliverance of South Asian Games 2016. As CEO of BRICS Football Tournament 2016 held at Goa, the prestigious international event was conducted with great élan and success. He was the CEO of Rural/Indigenous Games and Ek Bharat Shrestra Bharat programme He also has held post of Senior Vice President of the Yachting Association of India (YAI). Presently is a member of the Governing Council of Sports Skill Council and Advisor to All India Council of Sports (AICS).
- The officer is currently pursuing Ph.D in Defence Studies from Choudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. He is MA in International Studies from Kings College London, UK, M Phil in Defence Studies from Devi Ahilya Univeristy, Indore and M Sc in Defence Studies from Madras University, Chennai.. He has attended Senior Executive Programme in Germany conducted by United States based on the presence of NATO Forces in Afghanistan and the Independent Director’s Course at MDI Gurgaon.
- In recognition of his service, he has been awarded distinguished Presidential awards to include Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
- The Officer had been appointed Colonel of the JAT Regt from 01 Jan 2011, till his retirement on 30 Sep 2015.