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Major-General Prem Chowdry

Published on: June 2020

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-111054

Major-General Prem Chowdry

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (20:06):

:57 I recognise local Mosman resident, retired Major‑General Prem Chowdry, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. I am disappointed I cannot join him for the party this evening. Prem served for 34 years in the Indian Army from the outbreak of World War II, where he served as a second lieutenant in the Royal Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army. During World War II he saw action in North Africa and Italy and at the conclusion of the war served in the first Indo‑Pakistani war in Kashmir. Prem was promoted to the rank of Major‑General in 1967, and between 1970 and 1974 was General Officer Commanding Bengal Area, tasked with bringing the militant communist groups, the Naxalite, under control. With 75,000 troops under his direct command, he played a significant support role in the liberation of Bangladesh. Following his many years of service, Prem retired and held a number of leadership roles in industry, including becoming a life fellow of the Royal Geographic Society in the United Kingdom. He has since become a keen photographer and enjoyed the occasional game of golf with his sons when he still could. I congratulate Prem on reaching his 100th birthday.