Reports noted that Vice-Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma who is Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Eastern Naval Command will be the next Chief of Naval Staff of India after Admiral Sureesh Mehta who retires on August 31, 2009. During his long and distinguished career of 39 years, Vice Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma commanded aircraft carrier INS Virat. Besides this, other commands of the Admiral include leander class frigate “Udaigiri”, and guided missile destroyer “Ranvir”. He also headed naval academy at Goa. For his services, Vice-Admiral was conferred Param Vishist Seva and Ati Vishist Seva Medals1.

• 1. “Vice-Admiral Nirmal Verma next Navy Chief”, The Hindu, June 7, 2009, New Delhi