Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 29 Jun: Lt Gen (Retd) Madan Mohan Lakhera (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, former Governor of Mizoram and Puducherry and one of Uttarakhand’s most distinguished military officers, passed away at his residence in Dehradun this afternoon. He was 88. A decorated soldier, accomplished administrator and respected public figure, Lakhera leaves behind a rich legacy of military leadership, constitutional service and unwavering commitment to national integration. His last journey would start from his residence at Panache Valley on Sahastradhara Road at 9 am tomorrow for Haridwar where he would be cremated at Kharkhari Ghat
Lakhera is survived by his three daughters, Alka Kukreti, Anupama Lakhera and Archana Pabbaraju, besides grandchildren Anvita Lakhera, Sarthak, Atulya, Shreya and Aditya. Members of the family, including his daughter Anupama Lakhera, had been caring for him during his stay in Dehradun. Condolences poured in from political leaders, retired armed forces officers, civil servants and admirers across the country, who remembered him as an outstanding soldier, an able administrator and a compassionate human being.
Born on October 21, 1937, in Jakhand village of Tehri Garhwal district, Lakhera hailed from a family known for its contribution to education and public service. His father, Jaya Nand Lakhera, was regarded as a pioneer of modern education in the erstwhile Tehri State. Lakhera received his early education at the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun, before undergoing military training at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He was commissioned into the Indian Army on June 8, 1958, beginning an illustrious military career spanning nearly four decades.
During his distinguished service, Lakhera participated in the 1961 Goa Liberation Operation and the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. He later served as Corps Commander in Jammu and Kashmir during one of the most challenging phases of militancy and was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Kumaon Regiment. As Adjutant General at Army Headquarters, he held one of the Army’s most prestigious appointments. His exceptional service to the nation earned him the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
Lakhera also played an important role in several internal security operations. During Operation Blue Star in 1984, he was associated with military operations in Punjab. The same year, while serving as Brigadier at Kanpur, he led the Army’s operations with remarkable efficiency to restore peace and control violence during the anti-Sikh riots, helping save numerous lives through timely intervention.
After retiring from active military service, Lakhera entered constitutional office and was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry in 2004. He also held the additional charge of Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands before assuming office as Governor of Mizoram in July 2006, a position he held until September 2011. During his tenure in Mizoram, he became immensely popular among students and young people through his approachable personality and constant efforts to encourage them to participate in nation-building while strengthening their connection with the national mainstream. He was widely admired for his simplicity, accessibility and people-centric approach.
Following his gubernatorial assignments, Lakhera remained active in public life and later served as Chairman of the Ex-Servicemen Department of the Congress party. In recent years, he had been residing in Dehradun, where he continued to maintain close contact with ex-servicemen, social organisations and people from Uttarakhand.
