Om Prakash Malhotra

Ambassador to Indonesia and Governor of Punjab After retiring from the Indian Army on 31 May 1981, Malhotra served as the Ambassador of India to Indonesia from 1981 to 1984. During 1990–1991, he was the Governor of the Indian State of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh when militancy in that state was at its height. Malhotra resigned from his post in protest when planned elections in the state were deferred by the National Election Commission without notice. Upon the postponement of the elections he said that "I have been through three Wars, I have been a General in the Wars, but I have never felt as defeated as I feel today after this announcement by the Election Commission that the Elections have been postponed."

Post-retirement A keen sportsman, Malhotra was the Founder President of the Asian Equestrian Federation in 1978. He was also the President of the Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi from 1979 to 1980.

He served for nine years as the President of the Equestrian Federation of India a post which he took on while serving as Chief of Army Staff and continued in post-retirement. He was responsible for the revival of the cavalry sport of Tent Pegging in India and across Asia, as an equestrian sport.

Malhotra was a Founder Trustee of the Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum, and served as the President of India's largest NGO, the "National Association for the Blind" in New Delhi. He was the Chairperson of the National Association for the Blind Centre For Blind Women & Disability Studies. He was an active member of Kiwanis Club of New Delhi, patron of the All India Federation of The Deaf, and a Trustee of the Delhi Cheshire Homes.

In addition, Malhotra was also the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of two charitable organisations Shiksha and Chikitsa.

Personal life Malhotra was married to Saroj, with whom he had two children. His son, Ajai Malhotra, was Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation from 2011 – 2013.

Death Malhotra died at his home in Gurugram due to complications of old age on 29 December 2015. On 31 December 2015 his funeral was held with full military honours at Brar Square. As former Chief of Army Staff from the Regiment of Artillery his body was carried to the funeral on an artillery gun carriage.

Honours and awards 1976: Param Vishist Seva Medal for "service of the most exceptional order". 1977: Honorary Senior Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Artillery. 1980: Honorary General of the Nepalese Army. 1994: conferred the Degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa by University of Jammu

Dates of rank