Admiral R H Tahiliani
TSW Citation
Admiral Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani
Certainly, this is one of most prestigious movement of history of business oriented Sindhi community to have a person at the peak of another field. Surely Admiral Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani born on 12 May 1930 has brought this moment of pride on the 1 December 1984, when he took charge as the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. In all sense we can say Admiral R H Tahiliani is a real & rare Gem born in Sindhi community who has brought yet another unique and prestigious success movement for Sindhis in India forced to migrate in 1947. He is not just entitled for being “Sindhu Ratan” but actually he had earned it.
Admiral R H Tahiliani: Life with Indian Navy
This was a hardworking and dedicated journey of 34 years [commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 September 1950] starting from a pilot for carrier-based aircraft to Chief of Naval staff. R H Tahiliani was a qualified pilot who had completed his graduation from Naval War College, United States and the National Defence College, New Delhi.
18 May 1961 holds unparalleled importance in the life of Admiral R H Tahiliani as on this day he had landed his Hawker Sea Hawk fighter on the deck of INS Vikrant and become the first naval pilot to land an aircraft on the deck of a war ship. Some other important dates associated with life of Admiral R H Tahiliani in the Indian Navy are:
December 1977: Promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed Flag Officer, Goa Area.
February 1982: Appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.
March 1983: Appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
May 1984: Appointed as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
December 1984: Appointed as the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Admiral R H Tahiliani retired from the Navy on 30 November 1987 after more than 37 years of serving the nation and to community. During this period, he was homered with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for the many moments of distinguished service.
Admiral R H Tahiliani was married to Jaswanti Tahiliani, first woman Engineer in Mumbai; both are blessed with son Tarun Tahiliani, a noted Indian fashion designer. 14 October 2015 proved to be the last day of physical life of Admiral R H Tahiliani.
Admiral R H Tahiliani Life After Retirement
After retirement from the navy true social life of Admiral R H Tahiliani begins with appointment as the Governor of Sikkim on 08 February 1990, he remained on the post till 20 September 1994.
His desire of working in the field of education was fulfilled by his works in the capacity of chairperson of Balvantray Mehta Vidya Bhawan Anguridevi Shersingh Senior Secondary school in south Delhi.
In 1997 when the Indian Chapter of Transparency International was launched, he was there as the founder Member and serve as the Chairman till 2010. During this he was elected to the board of Transparency International in 2002.
Famous and popular Sindhi folk singer Bhagwanti Navani is eventually immortal as she even after losing the physical existence still alive at hearts of thousands and thousands of Sindhi music lovers. Often called as Sindhi Koyel Bhagwanti was born on 01 Feb 1940 at Nasarpur. Undisputed queen of Singing Sindhi Lada (marriage ritual songs) Bhagwanti will always be remembered for singing Sukhamani Sahib (Guru Bani) in Sindhi. She also acted in Sindhi film Sindhua Je Kinare. On 22 Oct 1986 she left for heavenly abode.