Major Mohd. Amin Naik is the first Kashmiri Muslim General in Indian Army

India now have a Kashmiri Muslim as a General in the Indian Army.  His name is Major General Mohd. Amin Naik.  As much as it is a matter of pride for the Kashmiris, it is also an affirmation that if one works hard he/she can have a hope of rising in India.

It also made me wonder, given Pakistan’s feelings for Kashmiris and the predominance of Army culture; how many Major Generals and higher have come from the PoK (or Azad Kashmir as it is called there)?  It would be interesting to get some statistic on that.  At least in the current establishment from the face of it, none of Generals (Maj Generals and above) seem to be from Kashmir.

Major General Naik started in the Corps of Engineer in December of 1974 and has done great service.  He won a Sena Medal in 1993 for his service.

Major General Naik is also a champion rower.  He won a bronze in 1982 Asian Games (coxless-4) and has gotten 8 gold, one silver, and one bronze in national championships.  He has also won two golds, and a silver and bronze apiece in various international championships in rowing.

Currently, posted as the Assistant Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff HQ, he hails from Pulwana district of South Kashmir.  Born on Sept 25, 1953, Major General Naik was the first from his district to join the Army.  Over his 35 years of service in the Indian Army, he has served as design civil engineer and garrison engineer with Eastern Naval Command, Vizag, and remained in Army headquarters as general staff officer-1

He has also been awarded the highest medal to an Indian sportsman – Arjuna Award – for his accomplishments in rowing.

One thing that probably helped him is that he comes from a distinguished family.  His father Ghulam Nabi Naik is a retired divisional commissioner for J&K, his sister (Shamim Naik) is a doctor, and elder brother Gul Mohammad Naik is a retired Forest Officer.