Secunderabad: The Indian Army is committed to ensuring strong leadership for national safety and readiness in the south. Lieutenant General V. Sreehari, AVSM, SC, SM, has stepped into the role of General Officer Commanding (GOC) for the Dakshin Bharat Area, covering Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the Union Territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
Lt Gen Sreehari started his military journey at Sainik School Amaravati Nagar, followed by training at the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. He was commissioned into the 16 Sikh Light Infantry on June 13, 1987. In August 1992, he joined the Parachute Regiment and led the Para Special Forces Battalion during Operation RAKSHAK. He has commanded units in tough areas like the Siachen Glacier and led a Strike Corps Infantry Brigade and a Mountain Division in the Northeast.
Apart from operational duties, Lt Gen Sreehari participated in a United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and taught at the Junior Leaders Wing in Belgaum and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
Throughout his service, he held significant staff roles, such as Director General of Recruiting and Director General of Manpower Planning and Personnel Services with the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army). He also served as Major General of General Staff at Eastern Command and Deputy Inspector General of Personnel at the Directorate General of Assam Rifles.
He has earned a Master of Science in Defence Studies from Madras University, a Master’s in Management Studies from Osmania University, and a Master of Philosophy from Madras University. His distinguished service has been acknowledged with the Shaurya Chakra (1998), Sena Medal (2021), and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), alongside commendations from the Chiefs of Integrated Staff Committee and Army Staff.
Originating from Wandoor, Malappuram, Kerala, he is the son of the late Petty Officer M. Velayudhan Nair and Sulochana Nair. His spouse, Uma Sreehari, is a homemaker from Muvattupuzha, and they have a daughter working in Puducherry.
