Philip Green is an Australian diplomat. He is the High Commissioner of Australia to India. He was also the ambassador of Germany, Kenya, South Africa, and Singapore.

Wiki/Biography

Philip Victor Green OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) was born on Monday, 9 November 1959 (age 64 years; as of 2024). His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He received his Bachelor’s in Law from the University (first class honours) of Sydney (USYD) in Australia. He also received a Bachelor of Arts from USYD. ^[1]Diplomatisches Magazin

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 9″

Hair Colour: Grey and blonde

Eye Colour: Gray

Family

Parents & Siblings

There is not much information about his parents and siblings.

Wife & Children

Green is married to Susan Marks, a professor of International Law at the London School of Economics (LSE), in London, England. She is a fellow of The British Academy.

Philip Green with Susan Marks

Career

Philip Green has worked as a diplomat across four countries. He has been the Australian ambassador in Germany, Kenya (1998-2000), South Africa (2004 to 2008), and Singapore (2012 to 2016). In 2004, he led the Secretariat for the Review of Australian Intelligence Agencies. From 2009 to 2010, he served as the then Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd’s International Adviser. From 2010 to 2012, he was the Chief of Staff to Rudd, who was serving as the Foreign Minister. Philip also worked on Australia’s diplomatic ties with the United States of America when Donald Trump was in office (2017 to 2021). During this time, he was the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s head of the division. In 2016, he played an important role in strengthening Australia’s relations with Singapore through agreements like the Australia-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. From 2017 he oversaw the implementation of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. He also worked on agreements such as the Enhanced Strategic Partnership with Germany and the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord in 2021.

Australia’s Envoy to India

In June 2023, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, announced that Philip Green was to be Australia’s next High Commissioner to India after Barry O’Farrell. He is Australia’s 22nd High Commissioner to India.

Philip Green presenting his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu after becoming the Australian envoy to India

Awards, Honours, Achievements

• For his role in response to the Bali terrorist tragedy (also referred to as the 2002 Bali Bombings) in 2002, Philip Green was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

• In 2016, Philip Green was awarded an Honourary Doctor of the University from James Cook University in Australia.

• In 2017, Philip Green received an Honourary Doctorate of the University from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia.

Favourites

• Indian Cricketer: Virat Kholi

• Australian Cricketer: Glenn Maxwell

Facts/Trivia

• Philip Green has tweeted about enjoying Indian food like idlis, chole bhature, paratha, and jalebi.

Made the most of my 1st weekend of 2024 in #Delhi by savouring the delicacies of #OldDelhi -Chole Bhature at Giani’s Di Hatti; paratha at Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan Paranthe Wale (since 1872!); Jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala (since 1884!) & masala chai at Bhupendra’s.What a blast! pic.twitter.com/WQTIWhGBDt

— Philip Green OAM (@AusHCIndia) January 15, 2024

• Philip enjoys playing cricket. He started playing when he was in school and continues to play with friends and family.
  

  Philip Green playing cricket

• The title of “His Excellency” is added before Philip Green’s name due to his high position.

• Philip Green is a non-vegetarian.
  

  A picture of Philip Green OAM barbecuing meat

Sharon

Abhijit Gangopadhyay is an Indian politician and former judge, who was appointed as a permanent judge of the Calcutta High Court in 2020. In March 2024, he hit the headlines as he resigned from the position of permanent judge of the Calcutta High Court.

Wiki/Biography

Abhijit Gangopadhyay was born on Sunday, 19 August 1962 (age 62 years; as of 2024) in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. His zodiac sign is Leo. He completed his schooling at Mitra Institution (Main) in Kolkata in 1979. He did law at Hazra Law College in Kolkata. ^[1]The Print

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 9″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Parents & Siblings

His father was a lawyer.

Wife

He is married.

Career

After beginning his career as an A-grade officer of the West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS), he was initially posted in North Dinajpur. Later, he resigned from this position to study law. ^[2]ABP Live He worked as a State Advocate in the Calcutta High Court before being appointed to the bench. On 2 May 2018, he was appointed as an additional judge in the Calcutta High Court and was elevated to a permanent judge on 30 July 2020. He resigned as the judge of Calcutta High Court on 5 March 2024 to enter politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. ^[3]The Times of India

Notable Judgements

West Bengal School Service Recruitment Scam

Judge Abhijit has given a series of directives to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) since November 2021 to investigate the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) for purported irregularities in the recruitment process. ^[4]The Indian Express He issued several decisions against School Service Commission personnel, which caused political unrest in West Bengal and at the Calcutta High Court. ^[5]Zee News ^[6]The Telegraph In a letter, Gangopadhyay requested the Chief Justice of India to intervene in relation to the Division Bench’s decision in the cases involving purported anomalies at the School Service Commission. ^[7]The Times of India ^[8]India Today

Abhijit Gangopadhyay while interacting with the media

The Bar Association of Calcutta High Court published a resolution on 13 April 2022, calling for a boycott of the Court of Gangopadhyay. ^[9]The Times of India In response to protests outside his courtroom by the All India Trinamool Congress law cell, the then-governor Jagdeep Dhankhar issued a letter to the West Bengal chief minister about the matter. ^[10]Bar and Bench To look into an alleged teacher recruitment scam, Gangopadhyay ordered former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee to appear before the CBI on 18 May 2022. ^[11]The Indian Express In May 2022, he requested that Paresh Chandra Adhikary, the Minister of State in the Department of School Education, appear before the CBI about his suspected involvement in the illegitimate appointment of his daughter Ankita Adhikary. ^[12]The Free Press Journal ^[13]News18 Judge Gangopadhyay gave the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) instructions in September 2022 to replace school teachers who were appointed illegally with qualified applicants from the waiting list. ^[14]Siasat He gave the West Bengal School Service Commission orders to release the names of the 907 fraudulently appointed XI–XII school teachers in July 2023.

Politics

He contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Tamluk constituency in West Bengal on a ticket of the Bharatiya Janata Party and won.

Controversy

In response to Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s alleged use of ‘demeaning and defamatory comments’ against state Advocate General Kishore Dutta during a case hearing in 2024, over 250 attorneys, including members of bar groups, wrote a letter to Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam of the Calcutta High Court. The alleged dispute took place on 25 January 2024 when the CBI was ordered by Justice Gangopadhyay to look into ‘irregularities’ during a hearing on a case involving an alleged scam involving MBBS recruitment, notwithstanding a division bench led by Justice Soumen Sen’s decision to the contrary. ^[15]The Indian Express

#JustIn: More than 250 advocates have written a letter to Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court highlighting the manner in which Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay "humiliated" State's Advocate General Kishore Datta.

The lawyers have sought an apology from Justice Gangopadhyay.… pic.twitter.com/l1j2Ln9rV6

— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) January 30, 2024

Facts/Trivia

• In college, he used to participate in Bengali theatrical productions. He was also a part of the theatre group ‘Amitra Chanda.’ In 1986, he made his last appearance in a theatre play. ^[16]Ananda Bazar

• In March 2024, after announcing his resignation from the post of Calcutta High Court judge, he decided to join politics. ^[17]India Today

Amisha

K. Shivaram (1953-2024) was an Indian actor, politician, and former bureaucrat. He was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party and primarily worked in Kannada films. On 29 February 2024, he died in Bangalore, India, after suffering a heart attack. ^[1]News Next)

Wiki/Biography

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 4″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Brown

Family & Caste

K. Shivaram belonged to the scheduled caste community. ^[2]K. Shivram

Parents & Siblings

His father, S. Kempaiah, was a drama master. His mother’s name is Chikka Boramma.

Wife & Children

His wife, Vani Shivram, is a homemaker. The couple has a daughter named Incharaa Shivaram who works as a psychotherapist.

K. Shivaram with his wife

A picture of K. Shivaram’s daughter and son-in-law

Other Relatives

His son-in-law, Pradeep Bogadi, is a Kannada actor.

K. Shivaram with his son-in-law

Career

K. Shivaram began his career as a police reporter at the Crime Investigation Department in Karnataka in May 1973. Meanwhile, he also pursued his higher education.

Bureaucrat

In 1985, he passed the Karnataka Administrative Service (K.A.S.) exam and became a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

A young K. Shivaram

In 1986, he became an Assistant Commissioner of Police after clearing the Karnataka Administrative Service exam for the second time and ranking first among the scheduled caste category candidates.

A young K. Shivaram in 1985

During his training at Karnataka Police Academy, he passed the civil services (UPSC) exam.

K. Shivaram when he was an IAS officer

Major Postings

• 1988: Assistant Commissioner, Yadgir

• 1989: Municipal Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner, Bijapur

• 1990: Deputy Commissioner, Bangalore City Corporation

• 1993: Commissioner in Mysore City Corporation

• 1997: Special Officer in Koppal District

• 2000: Deputy Commissioner of Davangere District

• 2002: Commissioner, Social Welfare Department

• 2006: Mass Education Commissioner, Bangalore

• 2009: Food Commissioner, Bangalore

• 2010: Managing director of the Mysore Sales International Limited

• 2011: Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry

• 2013: Bangalore Regional Commissioner

Films

In 1993, he made his acting debut with the Kannada film ‘Baa Nalle Madhuchandrake,’ which was directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekar.

K. Shivaram (in beard) on the poster of the film ‘Baa Nalle Madhuchandrake’

He appeared in several other films, including ‘Vasantha Kavya’ in 1996, ‘Sangliyana Part 3’ in 1997, ‘Prathibhatane’ and ‘Khalanayaka’ in 1999, and ‘Yarige Beda Duddu’ in 2001.

K. Shivaram on the poster of the film Vasantha Kavya (1996)

He then appeared in several Kannada films such as ‘Game For Love’ in 2003, ‘Naaga’ in 2006, and ‘O Prema Devathe’ in 2007. He last appeared in the Kannada film ‘Tiger’ in 2017 as Shivram Nayak.

The poster of the film Tiger (Kannada) (2017)

Politics

In 2013, he joined the Indian National Congress (INC) as a member after retiring from his position as Bangalore Regional Commissioner. However, in 2014, K. Shivaram left INC and joined Janata Dal (Secular) as its member. He contested the legislative assembly elections from the Bijapur constituency but lost the election to Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Ramesh Jigajinagi.

K. Shivaram during his tenure as a member of Janata Dal (Secular)

The same year, he returned to the Indian National Congress and supported the appointment of a Dalit leader, Dr G. Parameshwar, as Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. However, this support caused controversy during the legislative assembly elections.

K. Shivaram during a political rally in 2014

On 14 October 2016, K. Shivaram joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after expressing dissatisfaction with the recognition of a Dalit in higher positions within the Indian National Congress politics.

K. Shivaram while attending BJP’s political rally with Rajnath Singh

He was then appointed as the State Executive Committee member of Karnataka.

Other

In 2011, K. Shivaram founded the Chalavadi Mahasabha, a charitable trust in Karnataka, and became its president. He is the founder and president of Dalita Maha Sabha in Karnataka. He worked as the general secretary of the Harijan Sevak Sangh in Karnataka.

Assets/Properties

Movable Assets

• Cash: Rs. 3,50,000

• Deposits in Banks and Financial Institutions: Rs. 1,38,439

• LIC or other insurance Policies: Rs. 17,50,000

Immovable Assets

• Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 1,00,00,000

• Residential Buildings: Rs. 1,10,00,000

Net Worth

K. Shivaram’s net worth for the financial year 2013-2014 was estimated to be Rs. 2.32 crores. It excludes the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors). ^[4]My Neta

Death

On 29 February 2024, K. Shivaram died at the age of 70 after suffering a heart attack in Bangalore, India. ^[5]News Next

Facts/Trivia

• K. Shivaram liked reading books, travelling to far-off places, and horse riding in his leisure time.
  

  K. Shivaram while riding a horse

• He became the first person in India to pass the IAS Exam in the Kannada Language upon clearing UPSC.
  

  K. Shivaram while working as an IAS officer

Jyotsna

Shubhanshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF). He made headlines in 2024 after his name was announced as one of the astronauts for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) first manned space mission, Gaganyaan. He is the first Indian to go to the ISS.

Wiki/Biography

Shubhanshu Shukla aka Shubanshu Shukla ^[1]Bharat Rakshak was born on Thursday, 10 October 1985 (age 39 years; as of 2024) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Libra. His father came to Lucknow from Sandila, Hardoi in 1973 and made his house in the Triveni Nagar area of Lucknow in 1980.  He did his schooling at City Montessori School, Aliganj, Lucknow and passed 12th standard in 2001. ^[2]Instagram – City Montessori School He passed the  National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam in 2002; Interestingly, he borrowed the exam form from a friend who changed his mind. He later joined the Indian Air Force (IAF).

A photo showing details of Shubhanshu Shukla when he appeared for the NDA exam

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 10″

Weight (approx.): 70 kg

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Parents & Siblings

His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, is a retired secretary of Uttar Pradesh minister, and his mother, Asha Shukla, is a homemaker.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents

He has two elder sisters named Nidhi Shukla, who holds an MBA degree, and Shuchi Mishra, who is a teacher at Tender Hearts School, Lucknow.

Shuchi Mishra, elder sister of Shubhanshu Shukla

Wife & Children

His wife, Kamna Shubha Shukla, is a dentist and hails from Jankipuram, Lucknow; her father’s name is Braja Mohan Misra. The couple have a son born in 2020.

Shubhanshu Shukla with his parents, wife, and son (right to left)

Religion/Religious Views

He is agnostic, but he believes in horoscopes.

Career

Indian Air Force (IAF)

He was a member of the 177 Course and was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 17 June 2006; his service number and branch are 29014 F(P). He is a fighter combat leader and a test pilot with approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience. He has flown different types of aircraft, including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. On 17 June 2019, he was promoted to the position of Wing Commander.

Shubhanshu Shukla (second from left) while working in the Indian Air Force

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

In 2019, he was selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for training at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City of Moscow Oblast, Russia and trained there for one year from February 2020 to March 2021.

Shubhanshu Shukla (siting) during the selection test for India’s first human space program, Gaganyaan

Views from the #Indian astronauts' training programme during their time in Russia.

• Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair
• Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
• Group Captain Angad Prathap
• Wing Commander Shubhansku Shukla#Gaganyaan #ISRO pic.twitter.com/833zX4nLJG

— ISRO InSight (@ISROSight) February 27, 2024

On 27 February 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave wings to Shubhanshu Shukla and other three astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight program, scheduled to be launched in 2024-2025.

A photo of the wings given to Shubhanshu Shukla and other astronauts of the Gaganyaan mission by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Shukla is a specialist in spacecraft systems, space physiology, and emergency procedures. ^[3]The Indian Express

Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Shubhanshu Shukla (left to right), four astronauts of Gaganyaan

Shukla was chosen as the primary astronaut, and Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair was selected as the backup for the Axiom 4 Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under an agreement between ISRO and Axiom Space Inc. in August 2024. The next year, NASA officially revealed his name as a member of a four-man crew bound to visit the ISS in the Spring of 2025. He became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). Shubhanshu reached the International Space Station (ISS) on 25 June 2025 as pilot of the Axiom 4 mission. He was launched from the Florida-based Kennedy Space Center. Soon after his arrival, he addressed the Indians through a live feed in Hindi. He was also given the astronaut number 634.

He departed with his colleagues from the ISS at around 4.50 pm IST on 14 July 2025. His space shuttle landed off the coast of California in the US at around 3.01 pm IST on 15 July 2025.

Shubhanshu Shukla waving at camera after reaching Earth from the ISS

Facts/Trivia

• His father said in an interview that Shubhanshu’s nature is very reserved. He did not tell them anything until he cleared the NDA exam and later became a part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan program. He never shares any details about his missions with them. When he was doing the Balakot strike (Operation Bandar) in 2019, he was not in contact with his family for many days.

• He likes reading books on space and learning different things about evolving technology.

• When he told his mother that he was going to become an astronaut, she told him to not become a part of any such program.

• His friends and family fondly call him by his nickname Gunjan.

Amit

Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is an officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF), a vyomanaut (a term for astronauts derived from Sanskrit), and a fighter pilot. In February 2024, he hit the headlines when the Government of India officially announced his name as the commander of a four-man team of astronauts for the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme, Gaganyaan. This crew included Group Captain Angad Pratap, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.

Wiki/Biography

Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was born on Thursday, 26 August 1976 (age 47 years; as of 2023) in Thiruvazhiyad village, Palakkad district, Kerala, India. However, some sources claim his birthplace to be Nemmara, Palakkad district, Kerala, India. ^[1]Times Now His zodiac sign is Virgo. He completed his schooling till class 8th in Kuwait, where his father used to work. The family, however, relocated to India after Iraq invaded Kuwait. He completed his class 12th at the Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Palakkad in 1994. He was a school topper in class 12th and scored 455 marks out of 500.

A photo of the honour board at the Chinmaya Vidyalaya

A photo of Balakrishnan Nair taken when he was in school

In 1994, he enrolled at the NSS College of Engineering in Palakkad, where he began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in technology in instrumental and control engineering. ^[2]Onmanorama He simultaneously began preparing for the National Defence Academy’s entrance exam. After clearing exams for the NDA, he left his engineering studies and joined the academy. After training at NDA in Khadakwasla, Pune, for three years, he reported at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad, where he underwent fighter pilot training.

A photo of Nair taken when he was in the National Defence Academy (NDA)

After completing his formal training, he joined the IAF as a Flying Officer. As an IAF officer, he has attended many renowned military colleges, such as the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington and the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) in Montgomery, Alabama, the United States of America. He graduated from the ACSC with a first-class honours degree. After his selection as an astronaut, he enrolled at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, where he pursued a master’s degree in engineering.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 9″

Weight: 50 kg

Hair Colour: Bald

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Family

Parents & Siblings

His father, Valampil Balakrishnan Nair, is an engineer and a retired government official. His mother, Koolanghaat Prameela Nair, is a homemaker. He has two brothers and a sister. His brothers, Pradeep Nair and Praveen Nair, are engineers and are settled outside India. His sister, Pratibha, lives in Thrissur, Kerala.

P. Balakrishnan Nair’s photo with his family

Wife & Children

His wife, Lena Kumar (also spelt as Lenaa), is a renowned Malayalam film industry actress and an author. The couple got married to each other on 17 January 2024. The couple has no kids.

P. Balakrishnan Nair with Lena posing for a photo

Lena revealed her marriage with Nair to the public through an Instagram post on 27 February 2024, after PM Narendra Modi’s announcement. According to her, it was an arranged marriage. Lena also claimed that she maintained secrecy about her marriage to Prasanth to avoid any potential interference with his work as an astronaut.

An Instagram post uploaded by Lena about her marriage

Religion

He follows Hinduism. ^[3]Onmanorama

Career

Indian Air Force

According to some sources, Prasanth Nair was commissioned into the IAF on 19 December 1998, while some other sources claim that he was commissioned on 19 June 1999. As of 2024, Prasanth, as a group captain, has more than 3000 hours of flying experience in different aircrafts, such as Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, BAE Systems Hawk, Dornier 228, and Antonov An-32. He has also served as the Directing Staff at the DSSC in Wellington as well as an instructor at the Flying Instructors School (FIS) in Tambaram, Chennai. He has also commanded a squadron of the Sukhoi fleet of the IAF. He is a Category A pilot and a test pilot and has flown many aircraft for the Air Force to induct. In 2016, he was the pilot of the Sukhoi aircraft that test-fired the first air-launched variant of the Brahmos missile following which India became one of the few countries to have the capability to fire nuclear warheads from air, sea, and land.

Vyomnaut

In 2018, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) along with the Air Force selected more than 30 veteran pilots from the service to be part of the Gaganyaan mission. The mission aims to position astronauts 400 kilometres above sea level for 3 days and then safely land them back on Earth in 2025.

A photo of the Gaganyaan model along with the scientists that worked on it

By the middle of 2019, only 12 out of these 30 pilots were retained as the remaining were rejected. Later, four candidates, Group Captain Nair, Group Captain Pratap, Group Captain Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shukla were shortlisted. Out of these four, Balakrishnan was appointed mission commander. Following the completion of the initial space training in India at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) in Bengaluru, the candidates reported for advanced space training in Russia at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. There, they were trained for 18 months to work on the technical and other essential aspects of working in space.

After the candidates returned to India from Russia, they were further evaluated and trained at the Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru. In February 2024, the selected four officers of the IAF completed their space training module, and on 27 February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pinned astronaut wings on the uniforms of astronauts.

A photo of Balakrishnan with PM Modi while he was pinning the astronaut wings on his chest

Shubhanshu Shukla was chosen as the primary astronaut and Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair was selected as the backup for the Axiom 4 Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under an agreement between ISRO and Axiom Space Inc. in August 2024.

Honours

Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was the recipient of the Sword Of Honour during his passing out parade at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad.

Facts/Trivia

• His name is also spelt as Prashant B. Nair.

• Prasanth is a good basketball player. According to his school teachers, he learnt how to play the game in Kuwait. He introduced the sport at the Chinmaya Vidyalaya and made a team. He also represented his squadron in several basketball tournaments in NDA.

• After schooling, Prasanth managed to get good marks in the Engineering and Medical entrance exams. He, however, decided to opt for engineering after getting motivated by his siblings.

• To maintain his physical fitness, Balakrishnan used to do yoga, work out in a gym, and go for a swim while training to become an astronaut.
  

  Balakrishnan Nair performing yoga

• He passionately follows his hobby of reading.

• Prasanth’s team will become the first team of astronauts to be launched into space from Indian soil in 2025.

• Balakrishnan Nair underwent training in Russia at the same facility, where Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to go to space, was trained in 1984.
  

  A photo of Nair along with other chosen Indian astronauts taken while they were undergoing training in Russia

• He likes to eat home-cooked meals made by his mother.

• According to sources, before joining the astronaut training module, Balakrishnan weighed 75 kg. However, he lost 25 kgs due to the intense training.

• Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair likes to do meditation.

Rohan Nautiyal

A content writer, editor, and proofreader with over three years of experience in producing well-researched, user-friendly content that simplifies complex information for readers, helping brands to enhance their online presence.

Angad Pratap is an Indian Air Force officer and astronaut. He made headlines in 2024 when he was selected to be a crew member on the Gaganyaan Mission, India’s first human space flight program.

Wiki/Biography

Dwivedi Angad Pratap Maitrey was born on Saturday, 17 July 1982 (age 41 years; as of 2023) in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh. His zodiac sign is Cancer. He pursued an M.Tech from IISc Bangalore. He passed out from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2003. In 2024, along with their astronaut training at ISRO, Angad Pratap enrolled in the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to pursue an MTech. ^[1]The Indian Express

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 7″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Parents & Siblings

Not much is known about his parents and siblings.

Wife & Children

His wife is a former IAF officer.

Career

Indian Air Force

On 18 December 2004, he was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in December 2004. He became a Wing Commander in December 2017 and was later promoted to Group Captain. He is also a flying instructor and a test pilot, with 2,000 hours of flying time. He has flown many different types of aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.

A photo of Angad Pratap taken when he was in the National Defence Academy (NDA)

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

In 2018, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shortlisted 30 veteran pilots to be part of the Gaganyaan mission. Scheduled for launch in 2025, the Gaganyaan mission is India’s first crewed space mission that aims to send four astronauts into a low Earth orbit for three days, and safely return them by landing in the Indian Ocean. Following a challenging selection process, only 12 pilots remained from the initial 30 candidates to become astronauts by mid-2019. Finally, four astronauts — Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap, Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, were chosen for the Gaganyaan Mission. The initial space training of the crew members took place at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) in Bengaluru. Then, they were sent to Russia for advanced space training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

They returned to India after a 13-month-long training. They were further evaluated and trained at the Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru. Their space training ended in February 2024. On 27 February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave astronaut wings to the crew members of the Gaganyaan Mission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi bestowing the prestigious astronaut wings on Group Captain Angad Pratap at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram on 27 February 2024

Tamanpreet

Ajit Krishnan is an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot and an astronaut. In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Ajit Krishnan as one of the Group Captains of ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, India’s inaugural human space flight mission.

Wiki/Biography

Ajit Krishnan was born on Monday, 19 April 1982 (age 42 years; as of 2024) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. His zodiac sign is Aries. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA). He studied at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. ^[1]Times Now

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 9″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Parents & Siblings

There is not much information about his parents and siblings.

Wife & Children

His wife, Priya Krishnan, is a cardiologist at Apollo Hospital. The couple has a daughter named Ananya and a son named Arjun.

Career

On 21 June 2003, Ajit Krishnan was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream. He is an Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilot from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru. He is also a flying instructor, who has been distinguished by an impressive achievement of approximately 2,900 hours of flying experience. This extensive experience covers a diverse range of aircraft, including the advanced Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, and An-32.

Mission Gaganyaan

On 27 February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla are the four astronauts were undergoing training for Gaganyaan, India’s first human space flight mission, which is said to be launched in 2024-25. At an event held at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented ‘astronaut wings’ to the four Indian astronaut-designates.

It was a very special moment for me to hand over wings to the four Indian astronaut-designates. They reflect the hopes, aspirations and optimism of 140 crore Indians.

India is proud of Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad… pic.twitter.com/i0oseaxd4o

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2024

All candidates chosen for Gaganyaan were reported to be test pilots, as it was India’s inaugural human spaceflight mission. Following numerous rounds of selection, the IAM and ISRO shortlisted the final four test pilots. They commenced training in Russia in 2021, albeit facing delays due to Covid-19. Subsequently, the four have been undergoing diverse training modules in India, facilitated by multiple agencies. ^[2]Economic Times Scheduled for launch in 2025, the Gaganyaan mission is India’s first crewed space mission that aims to send four astronauts into a low Earth orbit for three days, and safely return them by landing in the Indian Ocean.

Awards & Honours

• President’s Gold Medal

• Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy

Facts/Trivia

• Ajit Krishnan ranks as the second most experienced pilot among the four chosen IAF pilots after Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, who has approximately 3,000 hours of flying time. ^[3]The Hindu

• He has received many awards for his extraordinary performance at the Air Force Training Academy. ^[4]News Nine

Amisha

Rohinton Fali Nariman is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India. He is the son of the late Indian jurist Fali S Nariman.

Wiki/Biography

Rohinton Fali Nariman was born on Monday, 13 August 1956 (age 68 years; as of 2024) in Bombay, Bombay State (now Mumbai, Maharashtra), India. His zodiac sign is Leo. He attended the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. Nariman did B.Com. degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi. He pursued his Bachelor of Laws at the Campus Law Centre of the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, where he secured 2nd position in his batch. From 1980 to 1981, he did his Master of Laws (L.L.M.) at Harvard Law School, where renowned professors such as Laurence Tribe and Roberto Mangabeira Unger taught him. ^[1]Supreme Court Observer

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 10″

Hair Colour: Black (semi-bald)

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Family

He belongs to a Parsi family. ^[2]The Print ^[3]The New Indian Express

Parents & Siblings

His father, Fali Sam Nariman, was an Indian jurist and veteran senior advocate of the Supreme Court, died at the age of 95 on 21 February 2024. ^[4]The New Indian Express His mother’s name was, Bapsi F. Nariman, who died in 2020. ^[5]Economic Times He has a sister named Anaheeta.

Rohinton Fali Nariman’s parents

Rohinton Fali Nariman with his family

Wife & Children

He is married to Sanaya Nariman.

Rohinton Fali Nariman with Sanaya Nariman

Career

Nariman began his career as an advocate in 1979. The Times of India recognized him as one of the top ten lawyers of his era. ^[6]The Times of India After completing his year at Harvard, he practised maritime law in New York at Haight, Gardner, Poor & Havens for a year. He was appointed as a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India on 15 December 1993, at the young age of 37. Chief Justice Manepalli Narayana Rao Venkatachaliah amended the rules to appoint Nariman as he was only 37 years old, while the minimum age for senior designation in the Supreme Court was 45. ^[7]Parsi Khabar Nariman has been practising law for over 30 years and has been credited for more than 500 reported Supreme Court judgments. He is highly skilled in Comparative Constitutional Law and Civil Law. Nariman has argued numerous cases, including significant constitutional bench judgments such as P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra and State of Punjab v. Devans Modern Breweries Ltd.

Rohinton Fali Nariman while coming out of a court

He has dealt with the well-known gas-sharing dispute involving Anil Ambani’s Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited. ^[8]The Indian Express He also established the Supreme Court Lawyers Welfare Trust, which aims to promote fresh talent and ensure the well-being of lawyers. At the age of 55, he held the position of the Solicitor General of India. Nariman resigned from his position as Solicitor General of India on 4 February 2013, after serving for eighteen months. The specific reason for his resignation is not publicly known, although it was speculated that he had a strained relationship with the Law Minister Ashwani Kumar. ^[9]NDTV On 7 July 2014, he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. He was the fifth justice to be directly promoted from the Bar to the Supreme Court. ^[10]Livemint On 12 August 2021, he became eligible for retirement at age 65.

Notable Judgements

Freedom of Speech

The controversial rule that allowed Indian police the authority to arrest anyone for publishing emails or other electronic messaging that ’causes annoyance or inconvenience’ was overturned by the two-judge Supreme Court of India bench, which was made up of Nariman and Jasti Chelameswar. The justices ruled that Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, which imposed a maximum three-year prison sentence for similar offences, was unconstitutional. ^[11]BBC ^[12]The Guardian ^[13]Hindustan Times According to Nariman and Chelameswar,

What may be offensive to one may not be offensive to another. What may cause annoyance or inconvenience to one may not cause annoyance or inconvenience to another.” ^[14]The Hindu

In their judgment, the judges clarified the need to differentiate between discussion, advocacy, and incitement. They emphasized that any discussion or advocacy, even of an unpopular cause, cannot be restricted. Restrictions are warranted only when such discussion or advocacy escalates to incitement, causing public disorder or threatening the security of the state. ^[15]Hindustan Times ^[16]The Hindu

Triple Talaq

In a historic judgement, Justice Nariman’s judgment opposed the practice of Triple Talaq, saying,

Triple Talaq is a disapproved form of divorce. Even Hanafi law deems triple talaq as sinful. The 1937 Act recognizes triple talaq and therefore does not violate Article 13. It is not possible for the court to fold its hands when petitioners come to court. The practice of triple talaq is harmful and can be examined through legislation.” ^[17]India ^[18]NDTV

Sabarimala Verdict

In the popular ‘Sabarimala Case,’ he held that the practice prohibiting women of menstruating age from entering the Sabarimala temple violated multiple articles of the Indian Constitution. He said,

Bona fide criticism of a judgment, albeit of the highest court of the land, is certainly permissible, but thwarting, or encouraging persons to thwart, the directions or orders of the highest court cannot be countenanced in our Constitutional scheme of things.” ^[19]News18 ^[20]Scroll

Facts/Trivia

• Rohinton Fali Nariman is also referred to as the ‘Renaissance Man’ of the Supreme Court of India. ^[21]The Hindu

• In November 2016, he released a book titled ‘The Inner Fire: Faith, Choice, and Modern-Day Living in Zoroastrianism,’ which was based on the Zoroastrian religion.
  

  Cover of the book ‘The Inner Fire – Faith, Choice, and Modern-Day Living in Zoroastrianism’

Amisha

Fali S Nariman (1929-2024) was an Indian who served as a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India. He served as the Additional Solicitor General of India from May 1972 to June 1975. He served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005. On 21 February 2024, he died at the age of 95 years due to health issues.

Wiki/Biography

Fali Sam Nariman ^[1]The New Indian Express was born on Thursday, 10 January 1929 (age 95 years; at the time of death) in Rangoon, Burma Province, British India (now Yangon, Myanmar). His zodiac sign is Capricorn. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to India during the period of the Japanese invasion of Burma in 1942. He attended Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. He completed a B.A. in Economics and History from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. In 1950, he earned a law degree (LLB) from the Government Law College, Mumbai. ^[2]The New Indian Express He stood first in the examination and was awarded the Kinlock Forbes Gold Medal and Prize for Roman Law & Jurisprudence. Initially, his father wanted him to take the Indian Civil Service Examination; however, since he couldn’t afford it at the time, he decided to study law. ^[3]Bar and Bench

A young age photo of Fali S Nariman

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 8″

Hair Colour: Gray (semi-bald)

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Fali S Nariman was born and brought up in a Parsi family. ^[4]The New Indian Express

Parents & Siblings

His father, Sam Bariyamji Nariman, was a business executive. His mother’s name was Banoo Nariman.

Wife & Children

In 1955, he got married to Bapsi F. Nariman, who died in 2020. The couple had two children; a daughter named Anaheeta and a son named Rohinton Nariman, who is the former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

Fali S Nariman with his wife (centre) and son

Career

Nariman began his legal career at the Bombay High Court. He enrolled as an advocate of the Bombay High Court in November 1950 and was designated senior advocate in 1961. After he practised law for 22 years, he held the position of a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India in 1971. He played a significant role in shaping Indian constitutional law. From May 1972 to June 1975, he served as Additional Solicitor General of India but resigned from the position during the Declaration of Emergency on 26 June 1975. Nariman represented Union Carbide in the infamous Bhopal gas disaster case, a decision he later admitted was a mistake. However, he played a crucial role in negotiating a settlement between the victims and the company outside of court, resulting in a compensation package of $470 million for the victims.

Fali S Nariman during a speech

From 1999 to 2005, he served as a President-appointee member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Parliament of India). He held various prestigious positions such as President of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, President of the Bar Association of India, Vice-Chairman of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, and honorary member of the International Commission of Jurists. He has also been a member of the London Court of International Arbitration since 1988 and was appointed to the Advisory Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in November 1999. He was appointed Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Commission of Jurists from 1995 to 1997. On 17 October 2014, Nariman represented former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalitha in a conviction case and earned bail for her, after her earlier bail plea had been rejected.

Awards

• 1991: Padma Bhushan
  

  Fali S Nariman receiving Padma Bhushan

• 2002: Gruber Prize for Justice

• 2007: Padma Vibhushan

• 2018: 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration

• 2022: SKOCH India Law Award
  

  Fali S Nariman after receiving the SKOCH India Law Award

Death

On 21 February 2024, he died at his home in Delhi at the age of 95. ^[5]NDTV He had several health problems, including heart issues. ^[6]The New Indian Express

Facts/Trivia

• Fali Sam Nariman was considered the ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of the legal community. ^[7]The New Indian Express

• Nariman was an internationally recognised jurist on international arbitration.

• The ‘Best Respondent’s Memorandum’ Award at the Vis Moot East, an innternational moot competetion, is named after Fali Sam Nariman.

• In January 2014, he published his autobiography titled ‘Before Memory Fades.’
  

  Cover of the 2014 book ‘Before Memory Fades’

Amisha

Qamar Javed Bajwa is a retired four-star general of the Pakistan Army who served as the 10th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from 2016 to 2022. He is one of the most prominent figures in Pakistan. He was mentioned in the Forbes list of the World’s Most Powerful People in 2018.

Wiki/Biography

Qamar Javed Bajwa was born on Friday, 11 November 1960 (age 63 years; as of 2023) in Karachi, Sindh Province, Pakistan. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He completed his intermediate and secondary studies at the F. G. Sir Syed College and the Government Gordon College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. In 1978, at 18, he was selected to join the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul, Abbottabad, where he underwent a military training module till 1980.

A photo of General Qamar Javed Bajwa taken when he was in the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA)

As a Pakistan Army officer, Bajwa has studied at various national and international institutes such as the Canadian Army Command and Staff College, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, United States, and the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad. According to sources, Bajwa excelled in his studies in school as well as in the military.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 6′ 1″

Weight (approx.): 90 kg

Hair Colour: Salt and Pepper

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Family & Caste

Qamar Javed Bajwa belongs to a Punjabi Jat Muslim family of the Bajwa clan in Gakhar Mandi, Punjab. ^[1]The Indian Express

Parents & Siblings

His father, Muhammad Iqbal Bajwa, served in the Pakistan Army as a colonel. He passed away in 1967 while he was posted in Quetta, Balochistan. His mother passed away in 2013 due to age-related causes. He has an elder brother who lives in the UK and works for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

A photo of General Bajwa taken with his mother

Wife & Children

His wife’s name is Ayesha Amjad.

General Bajwa with Ayesha Amjad in his office

The couple has two sons, Saad Siddique Bajwa, and Ali Iqbal Bajwa. Saad is a lawyer and a businessman who has served as the legal counsel at Emirates. He is married to Mahnoor Sabir, who was named in the 2022 embezzlement case. Ali is a petroleum engineer and a corporate employee.

A photo of Saad Bajwa taken during his marriage ceremony

General Bajwa’s son Ali Bajwa with his mother

Other Relatives

His father-in-law, Ijaz Amjad, was a major general in the Pakistan Army. His father-in-law’s brother, Iftikhar Khan Janjua, was a major general in the army who was killed in a chopper crash during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.

A photo of Iftikhar Khan Janjua

Religion

Qamar Javed Bajwa follows Islam and belongs to the Sunni sect. Following his appointment as the COAS of the Pakistan Army, many people claimed that he belonged to the Ahmadiyya sect, which is considered a “non-Muslim minority sect” in Pakistan. According to the Constitution of Pakistan, any defence personnel who is not a Shia or a Sunni cannot hold the post of the Chief. ^[2]The Indian Express

General Bajwa reciting Namaaz during an event

Signature/Autograph

Signature of Qamar Javed Bajwa

Career

Early Career

On 24 October 1980, Qamar Javed Bajwa completed his training at PMA (62nd Long Course) and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 16th Battalion of the Baloch Regiment. After commissioning, he was sent to Sialkot, where he served for a few years. In October 1981, Javed received a promotion and became a lieutenant. He became a captain in 1983. Following his promotion to major in November 1987, Bajwa was sent on a deputation to Kashmir. In 1992, he was posted to the 5th Battalion of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI). During his time with the 5 NLI on the Line of Control, he learned about the Indian Army and its strategies. He then participated in several discussions and wrote many articles about it. Later, he was posted to Rawalpindi, where he served as a Staff Officer (SO) in the X Corps.

A photo of General Bajwa with his wife and sons taken when he was a young major

In April 1997, Bajwa became a lieutenant colonel and served as the General Staff Officer (GSO) in the same corps. In September 2002, Bajwa was promoted to the rank of colonel following which he commanded a unit of the Baloch Regiment. In 2003, he was selected to be part of the Pakistani contingent in a United Nations (UN) mission to Africa. He went on to command the Pakistan Armed Forces-Africa Command in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

A photo of General Qamar Javed Bajwa taken when he was serving in the United Nations

Bajwa became a brigadier in April 2004. He was then appointed as the commandant of the School of Infantry and Tactics in Quetta, Balochistan. He has also served as an instructor in the Command and Staff College in Quetta. In 2007, he was once again sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he served as the commander of a UN brigade under the former Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh. According to sources, Bikram Singh commended Bajwa’s ways of leading the soldiers and called him a “professional” commander. Singh said,

In the UN operations, Gen Bajwa’s performance was totally professional and outstanding. A military officer’s conduct in the international environment is different from the way he conducts himself back home. There, he is governed by his country’s national interests.”

A photo of General Bajwa with General Bikram Singh during his tenure in the UN

In May 2009, Bajwa was appointed as a major general. Thereafter, he was sent to Gilgit-Baltistan, where he served as the commander of the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA). He was then sent to Islamabad. There, he became an instructor at the National Defence University (NDU).

A photo Bajwa taken while he was serving as a Major General

In August 2013, Bajwa became a lieutenant general after which he became the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Chaklala-based X Corps. This corps is one of the most vital fighting formations of the Pakistan Army as it is deployed on the Line of Control (LoC). During his tenure, the Corps took part in the 2013 and 2014 skirmishes with India, which resulted in many troops dead and wounded on both sides. In 2014, he was appointed as the Colonel Commandant of the Baloch Regiment. After completing his tenure as GOC X Corps in October 2015, Bajwa was sent to the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where he served as Inspector General Training and Evaluation (IG T&E) till his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). As an IG, he also served as the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Raheel Sharif, the former Pakistan Army Chief.

Qamar Javed Bajwa with General Raheel Sharif while serving as the Commander of the X Corps

Work As COAS

On 26 November 2016, the Government of Pakistan announced the appointment of Qamar Javed Bajwa as the 10th Army Chief of Pakistan. He reportedly took over the post by superseding four senior army officers. According to sources, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepted his appointment due to Bajwa’s apolitical nature and pro-democracy views. Another reason behind his selection was cited as his ability to strike a balance between the civil and the military authorities.

A photo of Qamar Javed Bajwa taken while he was taking over as the COAS from General Raheel Sharif

Soon after he took over, two major militant attacks took place in Pakistan which resulted in the death and destruction of man and material. Under his leadership, the Pakistan Army launched two major counter-insurgency operations named Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and Khyber-4 in 2017. He has always considered religious extremism as a threat to the peace and development of Pakistan. As an Army Chief, many countries, including the US, the UK, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, have invited him to address committees and military gatherings. As per sources, Bajwa managed to retain good ties with the US militarily when the inter-government ties between the two countries were at their lowest.

General Bajwa with General John Nicholson of the US Army

He also played an instrumental role in constructing a fence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, also known as the Durand Line. For this, he met the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani.

General Bajwa with Ashraf Ghani in Afghanistan

In 2018, he visited China, where he met the Chinese authorities and conducted a discussion on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During the discussion, Bajwa assured the Chinese that the project would not be impacted due to the political crisis and terrorism in the country.

A photo of General Bajwa taken in Beijing

In August 2019, Bajwa was set to retire; however, Prime Minister Imran Khan extended his tenure till 2022 citing a “National Emergency.” However, the Supreme Court of Pakistan put a stay on the extension and asked the Federal government to pass a bill in the parliament to extend Bajwa’s tenure.

A photo of the official notification issued by the Government of Pakistan on Bajwa’s extension

In April 2022, Bajwa, while addressing a conference in Islamabad claimed that due to faulty policies of the country, it had become overly dependent on China. In 2022, Bajwa reportedly held a secret meeting with the Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval following which a ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) was put into effect. ^[3]Hindustan Times He retired from the service in November 2022 and was succeeded by General Asim Munir.

Qamar Javed interacting with the troops of the Pakistan Army deployed at the LOC

Criticism Received By Bajwa

In her book, Dying to Serve: Militarism, Affect, and the Politics of Sacrifice in the Pakistan Army, Maria Rashid wrote that even though Bajwa worked well in certain areas, he did not address the divide in the Pakistan Army. She also claimed that the internal rift has also led to a downfall in the army’s credibility among the general public. In an interview, she said,

General Bajwa miscalculated and underestimated the cracks within his own establishment. He acted too late and also perhaps does not seem to have the stomach to ‘quash’ the rebellion within. For the first time perhaps, the cracks within the military, even though they existed before, are being filtered through the concerns of a mainstream political party, the PTI.”

It is also claimed by many sources that despite launching many anti-terrorist operations, the Pakistan Army, under his leadership, failed to contain terrorism and that terrorism increased manifold in the country.

The Bajwa Doctrine

Bajwa outlined several key military terms during the Munich Security Conference in February 2018. In his address, he talked about “biting back hard” against the threats posed by the then-Donald Trump-led US Government. Following the address, the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) gave this doctrine the name of the Bajwa Doctrine. In doctrine, he also talked about the creation of a stable democracy to eliminate terrorism, strengthening the law and order situation in Pakistan, working on uplifting Afghanistan to end cross-border terrorism, and amalgamating terrorists and militants into the society after their surrender. A second part of the doctrine was released in March 2021 during the Islamabad Security Dialogue. It focused on four themes: an enduring peace internal and external to Pakistan, non-interference in the internal affairs of neighbouring and regional countries, building intra-regional trade and connectivity, and bringing sustainable development via investment and economic hubs within the region.

A photo of General Bajwa taken in Munich, Germany, where he delivered a speech

Controversies

Allegations of Violating Official Secrets Act (OSA)

In 2023, Islamabad High Court issued a warrant against Bajwa, a senior Pakistan Army officer, and two journalists for violating OSA. According to sources, Bajwa gave an interview to two journalists after retirement in which he discussed the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan in 2022, civil-military relations, and the role of retired Pakistan military officers in politics. The petitioner claimed that a case for treason and inciting mutiny in the armed forces should be registered against Bajwa and the other accused. ^[4]DAWN

Allegations of Amassing Billions of Dollars of Net Worth as COAS

In 2022, a few weeks before Bajwa’s retirement, several tax documents of General Bajwa and his family members were leaked in the media. According to the reports, within six years of his tenure as the army chief, Bajwa’s family members, including his wife, son – Saad, Saad’s wife, and his father-in-law accumulated over Rs. 12 billion. The family reportedly invested and started numerous businesses in Pakistan and abroad. Bajwa also edited his IT returns thrice during his six-year-long tenure; whereas, an officer has to file ITR once before becoming a service chief. After the reports leaked, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar ordered an investigation into the circulation of the reports claiming it to be “violative of the complete confidentiality of tax information that the Law provides.” The media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, ISPR, also refuted the claims, calling the allegations false and baseless. ^[5]The Economic Times

Allegations of Masterminding A Journalist’s Murder

In 2022, the mother of a murdered journalist named Arshad Sharif wrote a letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s Chief Justice, claiming senior Pakistan Army officers, including General Bajwa, played an active role in the murder of her son. She further said that earlier, Sharif shared a good bond with the Pakistan Army; however, after he began exposing the involvement of the Pakistan military in various issues, he began receiving warnings from the ISI. She wrote,

Sharif was close to the army, covering many of their operations against militants. He became critical of certain individuals in the army for their involvement in politics and forced disappearances. This is when he started receiving threats, first from Brigadier Muhammad Shafiq Malik of ISPR…and then from Brigadier Fahim Raza of ISI who called him to ISI Sector HQ Islamabad to convey the message of Major General Faisal Naseer, DG – C, ISI.”

The letter written by Sharif’s mother to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan

In total, 15 FIRs on sedition and treason were filed against Sharif in different parts of the country following which he fled the country to Nairobi, Kenya, where he was reportedly killed by the ISI. ^[6]South Asia Press

Allegations By A Retired Pakistan Army Major Adil Raja

In December 2022, Major Adil Raja, a retired Pakistan Army soldier, claimed in a video that General Qamar Javed Bajwa not only used top Pakistani actresses to honey-trap Pakistani politicians and other influential people but also used to spend “nights” with the actresses in ISI safe houses. ^[7]News18 However, later, several actors in Pakistan criticised Adil for making “false allegations.” A senior Pakistan Army officer also filed a defamation case against Adil in a UK court. ^[8]The Friday Times

Bajwa’s Alleged Statement on Pakistan Military’s Readiness

In 2021, journalist Hamid Mir conducted a show in which he claimed that during a closed-door conference in the Foreign Office, Bajwa revealed that the reason for seeking a ceasefire with India was that Pakistan was not ready to handle military escalation with India due to monetary constraints. He also said that India’s military preparedness was far superior to that of the Pakistan military. Mir further claimed that Bajwa wanted PM Narendra Modi to come to Pakistan and had even talked about it with NSA Ajit Doval in a secret meeting in a Gulf country. After the revelation, Bajwa received severe criticism from journalists and politicians. Some even called for lodging a complaint against him for sedition and treason. Prime Minister Imran Khan also criticised Bajwa and said that he had claimed even worse things whenever he visited the Prime Minister’s Office. Imran, in an interview, said,

Since this matter is related to national security, I don’t want to say anything that would become news for international media as it would be detrimental to Pakistan.”

Later, DG-ISPR, the Pakistan military’s media wing, issued a clarification on the issue and said that Bajwa’s comments were taken out of context and presented to the public after distorting them. ^[9]DAWN

Allegations of Meddling with Elections

In 2018, the Pakistan Army, under Bajwa’s command, was accused of influencing the election results in the 2018 general elections. The elections were termed by BBC as the “dirtiest elections in Pakistan’s history.” ^[10]BBC The army allegedly helped Imran Khan’s PTI party register a victory over Nawaz Sharif’s PML(N). ^[11]Foreign Affairs Later, the citizens of Pakistan began demanding the resignation of Sardar Raza Khan, the CEC. He, however, refuted the claims of any sort of rigging. He was supported by the European Union which claimed that the 2018 election process was an improvement over the elections held in the past. Thereafter, a recounting was conducted in 94 constituencies in which Imran’s party emerged as the largest party.

Nawaz Sharif’s Allegations Against Bajwa

In 2017, after getting removed from the post of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and going into a self-imposed exile in London, Nawaz Sharif gave an interview in which he claimed that he was removed from power through a conspiracy by General Bajwa and two judges of the Supreme Court. ^[12]The Economic Times Nawaz was reportedly removed from the post due to his name being mentioned in the Panama papers. However, Bajwa later claimed in front of a parliamentary committee of playing no role in the conspiring against the Prime Minister. ^[13]The Economic Times In 2023, Prime Minister Imran Khan supported Nawaz’s claims and said that when Bajwa was chief of the army, he sent two brigadiers outside of Pakistan to plant evidence to prove Nawaz’s involvement in corruption. ^[14]NDTV Imran, in an interview, said,

He (Bajwa) had sent two brigadiers who proved Nawaz was involved in the Panama case. This is why Nawaz is not forgiving Bajwa.”

Declining Freedom of Journalists

Many sources have claimed that after Bajwa took over the command of the Pakistan Army, the freedom of journalists was curtailed. This was because the ISI reportedly abducted and killed journalists who went against the wishes of the armed forces and criticised them. ^[15]South Asia Press

Fallout With Imran Khan

According to sources, Imran Khan was supported by the Pakistan Army to take over the office of the Prime Minister by sidelining Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. After taking over the office, Imran initially supported General Bajwa’s political ambitions and even safeguarded him numerous times. It was during Imran’s tenure as the PM that he granted a three-year extension to Bajwa. ^[16]India Today Following Imran’s removal from the office, he, in an interview, said that giving Bajwa an extension was the biggest mistake of his life. He also accused Bajwa of playing “double games.” While giving an interview, Bajwa said,

I did not get to know how the lies were spoken and I was betrayed. Gen Bajwa was playing a double game and I discovered later that even PTI’s members were being given different messages. I would believe in everything General Bajwa would tell me because our interests were the same… that we had to save the country.”

Reportedly, the duo fell out of favour with each other over a series of issues such as fostering closer ties with India and Israel, resuming trade with various non-Muslim countries, and appointment of the Director General of the ISI. In 2022, in his farewell speech, General Bajwa acknowledged the role played by the army in influencing the elections and policy-making of the government. He also claimed that the Pakistan Army has stopped interfering in political issues. ^[17]DAWN He said,

In my opinion, the reason for this is the constant meddling by the army in politics for the last 70 years, which is unconstitutional. That is why, since February last year, the military has decided they will not interfere in any political matter. The reality is that in Pakistan, institutions, political parties and civil society – they have all made mistakes.” ^[18]Al Jazeera

In 2023, Khan claimed that for exposing the nexus between the Pakistan Army and several politicians, Bajwa wanted to have him killed. ^[19]WION Imran has also been criticised for taking a “U-turn” as he had criticised Nawaz when he claimed Bajwa’s hand in his removal from the post of the PM. In 2023, Imran Khan claimed that Bajwa tried to put pressure on him to start a dialogue with India. ^[20]The Times of India Imran talked about it, in an interview, and said,

Gen Bajwa wanted me to develop friendly ties with India. He put pressure on me for this and it was one of the reasons our relationship deteriorated.”

General Bajwa with Imran Khan during an event

Military Decorations

Pakistani Medals

• Tamgha-e-Azm (Medal of Conviction) (2018)

• Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) (2016)

• Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) (2011)

• Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal) with Siachen Glacier Clasp

• Command & Staff College Quetta Instructor’s Medal

• Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan (Escalation with India Medal) (2002)

• Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) (1998)

• Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan (Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) (1997)

• Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) (1990)

• Jamhuriat Tamgha (Democracy Medal) (1988)

• Hijri Tamgha (Hijri Medal) (1979)
  

  A photo of General Qamar Javed Bajwa with all his medals on his uniform

Foreign Medals

• The Order of Bahrain 1st Class (2021)
  

  A photo of Bajwa taken while he was receiving the Order of Bahrain

• GUSP Medal For Merit from Russia (2018)

• Turkish Legion of Merit (2017)
  

  A photo of General Bajwa with a Turkish General receiving the Turkish Legion of Merit

• The Order of Military Merit from Jordan (2017)
  

  General Bajwa receiving the Jordanian Order of Military Merit

• United Nations MONUC Medal (2003 & 2007)

• Order of King Abdul Aziz (1st Class)
  

  A photo of Bajwa taken after he won the Order of King Abdul Aziz medal in Saudi Arabia

Assets & Properties

Movable Assets

• Deposits in Banks: Rs. 22,70,000

• Jewellery: Rs. 7,00,000

• Others (Furniture Items): Rs. 5,00,000

Immovable Assets

• Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 85,00,000

Note: The given estimates are according to the year 2013. It excludes the assets and properties owned by his wife and children.

Net Worth

General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s net worth in 2013 was estimated to be Rs. 1,19,70,000. It excludes the net worth of his wife and children.

Favourites

• Sport: Cricket

• Cricketers: Javed Miandad, Viv Richards

• Singer: Noor Jehan

• Music Genre: Indian Classical

Facts/Trivia

• He also goes by the name Qamar Ahmed Bajwa. ^[21]The New Indian

• Qamar Javed Bajwa passionately follows his hobby of reading. According to his son Saad, he developed this hobby after joining the army. He likes to read about contemporary European history.

• Cricket is his favourite sport. He used to play cricket in school as a wicketkeeper. He also likes field hockey.
  

  Bajwa holding a hockey stick

• According to sources, when Bajwa was a major general, he used to send a private jet to the UK to bring his kids home on vacations from the UK, where they were studied.

• It is claimed that after the Army Public School terror attack in Peshawar in 2014, Qamar Bajwa kept the photos of the killed children in his office to work more efficiently towards eliminating terrorism in the country.

• In 2017, General Bajwa was spotted dining at a restaurant without any security, despite several threats issued by terrorist organizations as the Pakistan Army, under his leadership, had launched numerous counter-terrorism operations.

• In 2018, General Qamar Javed Bajwa was ranked 68 on the list of Most Powerful People in the World by Forbes. ^[22]Forbes

• In 2021, a court of inquiry was initiated against the son of a retired major general of the Pakistan Army who wrote a letter to General Bajwa criticising him for asking Imran to extend his tenure as COAS.

• In 2022, while addressing a military conference in Rawalpindi, Bajwa claimed that the 1971 war with India was not lost because of the military but because of the political leaders of Pakistan. He also targeted the civilian government for the downfall of Pakistan’s economy. ^[23]The Siasat Daily

• In 2023, a video surfaced on the internet in which an Afghan man was seen verbally abusing Qamar Javed Bajwa and his wife while they were on vacation in France.

• In an interview in 2023, General Qamar Javed Bajwa claimed that General Raheel Sharif tried to extend his service as an army chief for three years to supersede Bajwa and not allow him to become the chief. ^[24]Outlook

• It is claimed that Qamar Bajwa asked several senior journalists, who are good friends of PM Imran Khan, to persuade him to align his actions with the wishes of the Pakistan Army.

• General Qamar Javed Bajwa owns a lot of land in Pakistan. He owns a 600-yard plot in Lahore, a 1 kanal plot in Rawalpindi, a 2 kanal plot in Lahore, and a 1 marla plot in Lahore.

Rohan Nautiyal

A content writer, editor, and proofreader with over three years of experience in producing well-researched, user-friendly content that simplifies complex information for readers, helping brands to enhance their online presence.