Army Chief honours Assam veteran Col Dibya Shankar Bhattacharya

Guwahati, June 22 (IANS) Veteran Army officer and noted social contributor Colonel Dibya Shankar Bhattacharya (Retd) from Assam has been awarded the prestigious Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Card and Medal by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation, officials said on Monday.

The honour was conferred during an official ceremony held in Tezpur on Saturday. Presenting the award, General Dwivedi lauded Col. Bhattacharya’s exemplary contributions to the Indian Army and society, noting that he continues to uphold the highest standards of duty, integrity, commitment, and professional excellence even after retirement.

The Army Chief said Col. Bhattacharya’s contributions towards national development and public service have been invaluable and have set a benchmark for fellow veterans and citizens alike.

Col. Bhattacharya served in the Indian Army for more than 33 years and holds the distinction of being the first person from Assam to secure All India Rank-1 in the UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) examination.

During his illustrious military career, he served in operational areas along both the Pakistan and China borders and participated in key operations, including Operation Rakshak in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Operation Parakram.

A distinguished military professional, Col. Bhattacharya also stood first in the prestigious Senior Officers Course of the Indian Army. He held several important appointments during his service and also served on deputation as a Director in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), where he earned recognition for his leadership and administrative capabilities.

Following his retirement, Col. Bhattacharya has remained actively engaged in public service. He currently practises as an advocate at the Gauhati High Court and serves as a Professor of Practice at Arya Vidyapeeth College.

He also founded the Dibya Shankar Foundation, which mentors and guides aspiring defence personnel from Assam and the Northeast. Through the initiative, numerous young men and women have been encouraged to pursue careers in the armed forces.

Recently, Col. Bhattacharya was conferred the Sarvottam Sadhna Award 2026 in recognition of his contributions to society. The latest honour from the Army Chief is seen as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to the nation, the armed forces, and the people of Assam, inspiring future generations to serve the country with distinction.

–IANS

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