New NOIC (TN & P) Takes Command

Commodore Alok Bhatnagar, NM takes over as the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Tamilnadu & Puducherry)

Commodore Amar K Mahadevan VSM (left) handing over the Baton & Sea Cap to Commodore Alok Bhatnagar NM (right)

Commodore Alok Bhatnagar, NM has taken over as the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Tamilnadu & Puducherry) on 30 Jun 2015 from Commodore Amar K Mahadevan, VSM on his superannuation, at a ceremonial parade conducted at INS Adyar, Navy Office, Chennai. The Commodore, prior to his appointment was serving as Principal Director International Fleet Review (PD IFR) at Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi.

Commodore Alok Bhatnagar NM, NOIC (TN & P)

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, the officer during his distinguished career of 30 years, has served on 14 different ships in various capacities, including appointments as Navigating Officer, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, which include command of INS Kulish (an indigenously built Missile Corvette) and INS Jalashwa (a Landing Platform Dock).

Some of his major shore appointments include Director Naval Plans at IHQ MoD (Navy), as a Naval Attache in Washington DC, USA and Principal Director International Fleet Review at IHQ MoD (Navy), New Delhi.

Commodore Alok Bhatnagar, a specialist in Navigation and Direction, is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja. He was commended by the Chief of the Naval Staff in 2002 and awarded Nao Sena Medal for Devotion to Duty in 2010.

Commodore Bhatnagar, a keen golfer and yachtsman, is married and has two sons.