Guwahati, March 9, 2024: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today announced that Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita (Retd) has been selected for the Assam Vaibhav Award, the highest civilian honor in the state. The announcement was made during a press conference, where CM Sarma praised Lt Gen Kalita’s exceptional contributions to national defense and his distinguished military career.
Lt Gen Kalita, a highly decorated officer, served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command and previously led the III Corps in Dimapur. With over four decades of service, he retired on December 31, 2023, after holding key positions in the Army, including command roles in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
His illustrious career includes receiving several prestigious awards, such as the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). An alumnus of Sainik School, Goalpara, and the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lt Gen Kalita was commissioned into the 9 Kumaon Regiment in 1984.
Notably, he became the first officer from Assam to lead the Eastern Command and also served as the Colonel of the Kumaon & Naga Regiments and Kumaon Scouts. His international contributions include UN tenures as a Military Observer in Sierra Leone and Chief Operations Officer in Sudan.
The Assam Vaibhav Award recognizes Lt Gen Kalita’s unparalleled service to the nation and his role as an inspiration to the people of Assam.
