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Tale Of Two Classmates
In a historic first for the Indian Armed Forces, two former classmates from the Sainik School in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, have ascended to the highest positions in the Indian Armed Forces. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi and Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, who studied together in the early 1970s, now lead the Indian Army and Navy, respectively. Their remarkable journey from schoolmates to service chiefs is a testament to their dedication and the training they received.
Early Days at Sainik School Rewa
In the 1970s, Upendra Dwivedi and Dinesh Tripathi were enrolled in class 5A at Sainik School Rewa. They were assigned roll numbers 931 and 938, respectively. The school, established to prepare young boys for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA), has a proud history of nurturing future military leaders. However, this is the first time that two alumni from the same batch have risen to the highest ranks in both the Army and the Navy.
Both General Dwivedi and Admiral Tripathi have illustrious careers spanning several decades. General Dwivedi, a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, was commissioned into the Indian Army on December 15, 1984.
Admiral Tripathi, also an NDA alumnus, joined the Indian Navy on July 1, 1985. Over the years, both officers have held various critical positions within their respective services, showcasing their leadership and strategic acumen.
Admiral Tripathi took command of the Indian Navy on May 1, while General Dwivedi was slated to assume charge of the Indian Army on June 1. However, his appointment was delayed by a month due to an extension granted to General Manoj Pande. Such extensions are rare and have only been granted twice before, to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and General GG Bewoor, due to the exigencies of the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
The school principal was invited to the ceremony where General Dwivedi took charge of the Army. Even today, 18 of us are here as our batchmate and friend Gen Upendra Dwivedi takes charge as Chief of Army Staff,” Prof Amit Tiwari, a classmate, said Sunday. “My roll number was 929, Upendra’s was 931 and Dinesh was 938. I was a roommate of Admiral Tripathi for eight years. And for three years I was desk partner with Gen Dwivedi,” he said.
Both of them were very disciplined, extremely focused and stayed away from controversies. They were never a part of any groupism, which is normal during school days,” said Tiwari, a former dean of School of Life Sciences at APS University, Rewa, and currently with TRS College, Rewa.
