Lt Gen Kotwal gets AVSM

Srinagar, Jan 25: Son of the soil, Lieutenant General Narendra Kotwal, Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Pune has been conferred the prestigious Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) that he would be given on Republic Day.

Lt Gen Kotwal hails from the Doda district and is the first from the Chenab Valley to rise to the rank of Lt General.

A graduate of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, he specialised in Internal Medicine (MD) from AFMC and obtained a Diplomate from the National Board of Examinations (DNB) in Medicine.

Continuing his brilliant academic journey, Lt Gen Kotwal went on to acquire a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in Endocrinology from PGIMER Chandigarh.

He is also an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi where he was awarded an M Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies.

Lt Gen Kotwal is a Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (MNAMS) and has also been elected President of the Endocrine Society of India, a testament to his academic brilliance and stature within the medical community.

He has been an academic guide to numerous postgraduate and super speciality students, has numerous scientific publications, and is also a reviewer for various international and national academic journals.

In his exemplary service career spanning nearly four decades, Lt Gen Kotwal has had the distinction of providing medical care to four Presidents of India.

He has also held the coveted appointment of a member of the Specialist Committee under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana; Advisor, UPSC for empanelment of advisors; Member of Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Lt Gen Kotwal also served as the Vice President of the Endocrinology Society of India and as Secretary of the Indian Thyroid Society.

He is a highly decorated soldier, having been awarded two presidential awards in the past, ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ and ‘Sena Medal.’

Lt Gen Kotwal is also the recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Commendation on three occasions, Vice Chief of Army Staff Commendation, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Commendation, and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Western Command) Commendation.

Under his exceptional leadership, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, he was awarded the coveted President’s Colour by President of India, Droupadi Murmu on December 1, 2023.

Lt Gen Kotwal hails from a distinguished academic lineage.

His father, Prof J L Kotwal is a renowned educationist and social reformer and his mother, Bimla Baloria, also an educationist, is Director of KNIT Institute.