The affable admiral (1923 – 1993)
Admiral Ronald Lynsdale Pereira, Ronnie to his friends, was born at Kannur in Kerala on 25 May 1923. Instead of following into the steps of his father who was a doctor, he decided to join the navy and was commissioned into the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) when he turned 20 in 1943. His first assignment was a command of a wooden fishing trawler, fitted out like a gunboat. The crew comprised of a dozen equally raw sailors. He saw service in Burma (Myanmar) and Malaysia during 1943 – 45 and later with an amphibious task force in Iraq till 1946. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, he commanded INS Delhi and anti – submarine frigate Kuthar. His outstanding character traits were integrity, commitment to the service and moral courage. He calmly rejected the recommendation of a Member of Parliament regarding the posting of a sailor but he did not take any action against the ignorant sailor. He was humane and punishment was to improve the individual. A keen sportsman, he represented the Navy in hockey in 1946 and in golf in the 1960s. He got married to Phyllis Bedel in 1952.
His love for sports and discipline made him the right choice as Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy in 1971. His cadets recall him for exhorting them to study hard, play vigorously and march smartly. He had an imposing personality. He drove his cadets hard but not needlessly. He demoted a cadet’s appointment who, dressed in a dressing gown, was punishing another cadet. He commented, “Uniform gives you authority. Without it you are nobody.” He himself was always dressed in crisp white uniform. No wonder that the cadets loved him, respected him and were in awe of him.
He believed, punishment is awarded to guide a potential leader towards the path of honour and moral behaviour.
Admiral Pereira was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for his outstanding performance of duty. He went through the ladder of staff and command appointments as Flag Officer Eastern Fleet and Flag Officer Commanding-in Chief Western Fleet. In his address to officers of the Western Fleet, he called upon them not to be “yes men” and have the moral courage to stand up for what is right and wrong. Officers preferred to play safe due to a few disciplinary cases. He assured them, “No officer shall be court marshaled provided he has shown great daring, courage and initiative in a battle tactical situation.” Golf and bridge (card game), often taken to be route to career advancement did not cut any ice with him. He never used the staff car for his personal use. After a brief tenure as the Vice-Chief, he took over the helm of the navy on 1 March 1971.
In the 1970s, the superpowers were building nuclear submarines and Russia had offered nuclear submarine on five year lease and arranged a two-year-course for naval personnel. Lease was proposed as purchase would have entailed Non Proliferation Treaty conditions. The Soviet offer included creation of maintenance facilities, which they were wanting to use for their ships as well. It was made clear to them that it would not be possible to extend those facilities to Soviet ships. Admiral Pereira objected to acquire any nuclear submarines as it would require bulk of budget allotment and manpower. The German submarines were inducted during his command. He was a born leader of men and showed tenacity, resilience, charisma and humour which endeared his men to him. He had impeccable integrity. He was the most loved Admiral in the history of the Indian Navy. He was awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his distinguished service. He retired on 28 February 1982 to live in his home at Bangalore. He was suffering from cancer and passed away on 14 October 1993.