Important information
He was the 9th CNS from 01 Mar 1979 to 28 Feb 1982. He was preceded by Jal Cursetji and succeeded by OS Dawson.
Personal details
Born 25 May 1923 (At Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India.
Died 14 Oct 1993 (Aged 70). At Bangalore.
Resting place Bangalore, India.
Spouse Phyllis Beatrice Badal
Nickname Ronnie
Military service
Allegiance British India (1923 - 1947)
India (Since 1947)
Branch/service Royal Indian Navy (1943 - 1947)
Indian Navy (1947 - 1982)
Years of service 1943 - 1982.
Rank Admiral
Commands Western Naval Command
Southern Naval Area
Eastern Fleet
INS Delhi
14th Frigate squadron
INS Kuthar
Battles/wars World War II
Indo - Pakistan War of 1971
Awards PVSM
AVSM
Sangram Medal
Burma Star.
During World War II, he saw active service aboard various Motor Launches inBurma and Malaysia between 1943 - '45 and thereafter, continued at sea with an amphibious task group based in Iraq, till 1946. After Independence in 1947 and completion of professional gunnery training at HMS Excellent at Portsmouth, he served for several years as a Gunnery Specialist, both afloat and ashore. He has commanded INS Kuthat (F146) and the Navy's Flagship, INS Delhi. He served as Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy and as the Director of Combat Policy & Tactics at Naval Headquarters.
In his 39-year illustrious naval career, Pereira held prestigious appointments of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), Flag Officer Commanding Southern Naval Command and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command. An able sportsman, he represented the Indian Navy in Hockey in 1946 and in Golf in the 1960s.
How the Admiral and I became friends!
It was Spring Term 1973. I'd joined, along with many others of the 49th course, on 10 Jan. Our first sight of the DepCom, then Commodore RL Pereira, was in front of the Cadets' Mess. While welcoming us, after a hot cup of drinking chocolate and biscuits, he spoke to us about the need to study things fast and to get used to the rigours of the Academy. He said that we'd be subjected to 'fagging' by our seniors and it had to be taken in the right spirit as it helped us find our feet. It was a week of us, 1st termers, the cadet appointments and the retest types as the NDA was to reopen after the recess, after that week.
And then the first day of Spring Term '73 had dawned and at 0600 hrs, the entire Hunter Squadron - like all the other 11 Squadrons - had fallen in on the squadron parade ground. The familiar white Ambassador of the DepCom, came to a screeching halt at our area. The Squadron was quickly brought to attention and the SCC - Squadron Cadet Captain Priya Ranjan Munshi of the 44th Course, summoned a 3rd termer to recite the Academy prayer, as a matter of course.
The DepCom would have nothing of it, sent him back and thundered, "You, that shortest 1st termer go up and recite the prayer". We, first termers were attired in shirt full sleeves, trouser and tie as our uniforms were getting ready at the Kapoor & Co. I mumbled and fumbled through the prayer - ably assisted by PR Sharma (SCC), AK Rai (CSM - Cadet Sergeant Major) and Dipankar Ghosh (CQMS - Cadet Quarter Master Sergeant) who were at the verandah with me, then. A visibly unhappy DepCom said, "You, young man meet me at my office after the 7th period and you'd better know the prayer backward" before getting into his car and driving off with a screech of tyres.
The entire squadron was sympathetic and advised me to forget everything, including the classes and to just concentrate on by hearting the prayer! Realised the intensity of the 'Squadron Spirit' for the first time and I followed their advice.
After the 7th Period, I reached the DepCom's imposing office in the first floor of the central lobby of the Sudan Block and almost to a cue, the DepCom was returning to his office from the Commandant (AVM MB Naik), with a file in hand. On sighting me, he asked me the reason for my being there and after hearing me out, he put his arm around my shoulder and sat on the edge of his imposing table that had quite a few dossiers and files, started reciting the prayer, stopped midway and asked me to resume from where he'd left and I did just that, flawlessly.
He kept tapping me on my right shoulder and said, "So, Rajeev you always knew the prayer ,why did you fumble in the morning? Got scared seeing your DepCom?" It was a serene me who'd left his office that afternoon. Everyone in the squadron was eager to know as to what had transpired including the Squadee and the DivOs! I'd become a hero overnight.
From then on, whenever I used to brace myself to salute him - the drill square test was yet to happen - as his car passed by, invariably, he used to push his head out and acknowledge my salute with a smile. Years later, on his visit to Kochi after taking over as the CNS, he tapped my shoulder and asked me as to how I was - I was one of the Platoon Commanders - and invited me over to a cup of tea at his suite, in the Command Mess. He introduced me to his wife saying, "Rajeev, here, was a 1st termer with us at the NDA and we learnt the prayer together". I still remember that lovely evening with the Admiral and Mrs Pereira, with the gracious lady egging me on to have the small eats on offer!
Yes, we'd become friends thanks to the NDA prayer!
Epilogue.
Am the proud owner of Admiral Ronnie Pereira's biography, 'With Pride & Honour' - my complimentary copy - that was sent during my absence on the yatra. The Admiral was the Deputy Commandant of the NDA during my first term out there. I'd written an anecdote on him about how he'd caught me during a morning fall-in - within the first week of my joining - for fumbling while reciting the Academy prayer. He'd ensured that I learnt it by heart that very same day and always used to acknowledge me at every event that we came across subsequently. He really had an elephantine memory! He shall always remain as one of the architects of what I am today.
This is the commencement of his birth centenary celebrations! My salute and prayers for a noble soul.
Tailpiece.
Sanil and Mithun drove in by a quarter past 5. Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 9.
Lekha went off to Kottarakkara on work. Sanil, Mini and Mithun went off to Ayur for the monitoring of the house warming formalities of their new house the day after..
Hit the sack at our usual time.
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