Konsam Himalay Singh Explained

Honorific Prefix:Lieutenant General
Konsam Himalay Singh
Honorific Suffix:PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM
Birth Place:Charangpat, Thoubal district, Manipur, India
Allegiance: India
Serviceyears:June 1978 - 2016
Rank: Lieutenant General
Servicenumber:IC-35206W
Unit:27 Rajput
Commands: XVI Corps
Battles:Point 5770
Awards: Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Yudh Seva Medal
Spouse:Dr. Mangala Devi
Laterwork:Chairman, Manipur Public Service Commission

Lieutenant General Dr. Konsam Himalay Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM is a former Lieutenant General of the Indian Army. He is the first officer from northeast India to reach the rank of lieutenant general in the Indian Army[1] and the first military officer from Manipur to reach the ranks of brigadier and major general.[2] [3] He was the Chairman of Manipur Public Service Commission[4] [5] [6] [7] and is currently a member of the Consultative Committee of Manipur Government on Naga Peace Talks as well as a visiting faculty member of Manipur University.[8]

Appointed Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Agartala. Source: ministry of Education, Govt of India letter no: FNo 54-9/2021-TS1 dated 26 August 2023

Early life and education

Singh was born in Charangpat village in Thoubal district, Manipur, India, and had his early education in schools there. In 1968, he enrolled at the Sainik School Goalpara in Assam. Singh enrolled at the National Defence Academy in 1974 and received his bachelor's degree from that institution.[9] He holds a master's degree in Defence Studies, and an MPhil in Strategic Studies from Madras University. Additionally, he has completed a postgraduate degree in management studies from Osmania University, Hyderabad, with distinction and earned his PhD from the Central University of Jammu in March 2018.

Military career

Singh was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, Rajput Regiment, in 1978. He commanded the 27th Battalion, Rajput Regiment, between 1998 and 2000 on the Siachen Glacier and commanded his battalion during the Battle of Point 5770 in the Kargil War in 1999, for which he was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal.[10] He later served as a battalion commander at his alma mater, the National Defence Academy. Singh is a keen mountaineer and took part in the 1987 Kanchenjunga expedition. He has been awarded the Chief of Army Staff's commendation card three times during his career.[11] Singh is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He is also a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

He has vast operational experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, where he served five tenures within 35 years, and four tenures in northeast India. His experience included counter-insurgency operations along the Line of Control, Line of Actual Control and HAA (High Altitude Area) environments. He was the commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow after becoming the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of XVI Corps (Nagrota). Before that, he was posted with the Military Secretary's branch at Army Headquarters, New Delhi.

Personal life

Singh is the son of K. Ibopishak Singh and is married to a physician working with the Central Government Health Service, Delhi, as a chief medical officer. The couple has two daughters.

Military awards and decorations

Uttam Yudh Seva MedalAti Vishisht Seva Medal
Yudh Seva MedalSamanya Seva MedalSpecial Service MedalOperation Vijay Star
Siachen Glacier MedalOperation Vijay MedalSainya Seva MedalHigh Altitude Service Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal30 Years Long Service Medal20 Years Long Service Medal9 Years Long Service Medal

Notes and References

  1. News: Major Gen. K.H. Singh to be first Lt. General from Northeast. 2014-02-13. The Hindu. 2018-05-02. PTI. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  2. Web site: Brig Konsam Himalay to be promoted to Major General in Indian Army . kanglaonline.com. en-US. 2018-05-02.
  3. News: K Himalay becomes first Manipuri Maj-Gen in Army . 1 June 2011 . The Times of India. 8 December 2018.
  4. Web site: Rtd Lt Gen Himalaya set to become MPSC head KanglaOnline. kanglaonline.com. 30 April 2017 . en-US. 2017-10-13.
  5. News: Lt Gen Himalay Singh gets new charge - Times of India. The Times of India. 2017-10-13.
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20121102181549/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110601/jsp/northeast/story_14054767.jsp The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Northeast | Manipur gets first Maj. Gen
  7. http://www.gomanipur.com/your-story/item/708-first-maj-general-from-manipur first Maj General from Manipur
  8. News: Biren team meets Delhi officials. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502140300/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/biren-team-meets-delhi-officials-183162. dead. 2 May 2018. The Telegraph. 2018-05-02. en.
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20120823231326/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-01/guwahati/29608018_1_sky-diver-studies-rajput-regiment K Himalay becomes first Manipuri Maj-Gen in Army - Times Of India
  10. Web site: Himalay Singh becomes first from NE to become Lt Gen of Indian Army.
  11. http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=14..010611.jun11 K Himalay becomes state's first Major General : 01st jun11 ~ E-Pao! Headlines