Lt. Gen. (Dr.) D.B. Shekatkar,
PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.)
Academic Qualifications:-
B.Com., M.Sc. and M.Phil in Defence Studies, Ph.D in Management Science, Ph.D in Defence & Strategic Studies, Pursuing THIRD PhD in Psychological Warfare, Post Graduate Diploma in Ecology and Environment, Post Graduate Diploma in Weapons and Equipment Management, Awarded PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP by Rotary International.
Experiences and other details:
Served in Indian Army for 4 decades. Participated in India-Pakistan war in 1965 in Kashmir. In 1971 in Western Theatre. During Kargil war in 1999 he was incharge of entire China front in Arunachal Pradesh. He was incharge of border management with China in Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and part of border with Bangladesh. He served extensively in North East combating insurgency in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and other areas. He served in Bluestar operations in Punjab and later, combated terrorism as Brigadier in Punjab, as Major General in Kashmir and as Lt General in Assam and other parts of North East India. He has experience of controlling communal violence in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. He served at Army Headquarters, New Delhi as Deputy Director General of Military operations (dealing with China and East Asia), as Additional Director General of Military operations and as Director General of Perspective (Strategic) planning. He served as member of “Joint Working Group” dealing with India-China boundary and other disputes. He also served as member of “Expert Group” dealing with boundary dispute. He was member of drafting team of Peace and Tranquility Agreement signed during Prime Ministership of Shri Narsimha Rao. He has participated in negotiations with China on boundary issues. Also with Pakistan on Siachen Glacier issue. He was member of India-USA Defence Cooperation and Strategic Partnership initiatives. He forced a record number of terrorists in Kashmir (1267) trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan to give up terrorism and lead a normal life.
Other achievements and engagements:
For his dedication, devotion, and contribution to the national cause, he has received following medals from the President of India.
a) Vishisht Seva Medal in 1981.
b) Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1997.
c) Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2002.
He has Co-authored 16 books on Security, Terrorism, Internal Security and Intelligence. One book has been published in USA by Centre for American and Global Security, Indiana University, Bloomington. He presided over the Expert Committee (also called as Shekatkar Committee) of Government of India to Re-orient India’s Defence Mechanism and Re-balancing of Defence Budget. After retirement he served as Chair Professor in Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Pune and Advisor Symbiosis University Pune. He is National President of Forum for Integrated Security of India. (FINS). He is Distinguished Fellow at The Centre for Joint Warfare (CENJOWS) New Delhi. He is associated with Large Number of Academic Institutions in Advisory Council and Governing Councils. He devotes his time and energy to prepare the young generation to face challenges of 21st Century.