About the Speaker
Commodore Alok Ananda is currently serving as the Commodore (Naval Operations) at the Directorate of Naval Operations, Naval Headquarters, New Delhi since March 2021. In his current role, he oversees coordination and execution of all operations of the Indian Navy.
The officer was commissioned in the Indian Navy in Jul 1993. He is an alumnus of Naval Academy Goa. He completed his Midshipman training onboard Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat, wherein he was awarded Gold Medal for his outstanding performance in professional subjects and sports. The officer specialises in Navigation and Direction and has served as Navigating Officer of four frontline warships. The officer has commanded Landing Ship INS Ghorpad, during which tenure, the ship was awarded ‘Best Landing Ship’ trophy. He was the Executive Officer of the frontline destroyer INS Ranvijay wherein, the ship was adjudged as the ‘Best Ship’ of the Eastern Fleet. He also had the honour to command the indigenously built state-of-the-art stealth Frigate, INS Satpura from 2018 – 2019. The ship was awarded ‘Best Ship’ trophy for its exceptional performance and high operational tempo.
The officer has served in several instructional tenures including instructor at National Defence Academy, Navigation & Direction School and Defence Services Staff College. His key tenures at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi include Captain (Strategy, Concepts and Transformation), Captain (Naval Operations) and Joint Director (Naval Plans).
He is an alumnus of the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington, where he was awarded ‘Scudder Medal’ for standing ‘first overall’ in the staff course. He attended 58th National Defence Course at Thailand from 2015 – 2016 and was awarded prize for the ‘Best Research Paper’. The officer holds Masters and MPhil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies. He was awarded Yudh Seva Medal in 2016 for successful conduct of Op RAHAT in Yemen in 2015. He has also been commended by the Chief of the Naval Staff and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command for his contribution to the Service.