Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi assumes charge as Commandant of Indian Naval Academy

New Delhi: Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, AVSM, NM, has taken over charge as Commandant at Indian Naval Academy (INA) on Monday. The charge of the post has been handed over to Hampiholi by Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (AVSM, NM), as he completed a successful tenure of over 13 months on Monday. Tripathi took over as the Commandant of Indian Naval Academy on June 12, 2019. During his tenure, the Academy saw the marked transformation in infrastructure and training facilities. Under the flag officer's leadership, on November 12, 2019, INA was bestowed with the 'President's Colour' for rendering 50 years of yeoman service in shaping Naval leaders for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Friendly Foreign Countries. Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi was accorded a warm send-off, with the traditional 'Pulling Out' ceremony.

Profile of Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi

Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasala, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the erstwhile College of Naval Warfare, Karanja and the National Defence College, New Delhi. The Flag officer is a specialist in Anti-Submarine Warfare and has commanded in Ships Nashak (Missile Vessel), Magar (Landing Ship Tank, Large) and Talwar (Frigate).

His shore commands include Commandant at National Coast Guard (Mauritius) from 2003 to 2005 and Commandant at Naval Academy and Commanding Officer, INS Mandovi (Goa) from 2007 to 2009. He has the rare distinction of commanding the Indian Naval Academy twice, albeit at different locations and in different ranks.

His important staff appointments include Staff Officer (ASW) at the Local Workup Team (West), Joint Director at Directorate of Personnel at Naval Headquarters, Naval Advisor to the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Senior Directing Staff at the Naval War College, Mumbai and Principal Director Staff Requirements at Naval Headquarters.

On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral in February 2015, he was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resources Development), and thereafter as the Flag Officer Sea Training with effect from October 2016. He subsequently commanded the Western Fleet as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet from January 2018 to March 2019.

On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral on March 27, 2019, the Flag officer assumed charge as the Director-General Naval Operations, prior being appointed as the eighth Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. He is a recipient of the "Nao Sena Medal" (Devotion to Duty) and the "Ati Vishist Seva Medal."

Indian Naval Academy (INA)

The Indian Naval Academy (INA) is the initial officer training establishment of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, located in Ezhimala, Kannur district, Kerala. Situated between Ezhimala hill and the Kavvayi backwaters, INA has a seven-kilometre beachfront on the Arabian Sea. It conducts basic training for all officers inducted into the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The Academy was established in May 1969, while its Ezhimala campus was inaugurated on 8 January 2009 and the name changed to Indian Naval Academy. It is the largest naval academy in Asia.