Brig Bal dead

PUNE, Sept 29: Brigadier Nijanand Vishnu Bal, one of the last King8217;s Commission officers, passed away on Saturday. He was 89.

Brig Bal had along and distinguished career after being commissioned into the British Indian Army after training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He served in Mesopotamia and Iran during World War II with the Maratha Light Infantry. Promoted to the rank of Brigadier, he played a key role in the Hyderabad operations in 1948.

After retirement from the Army in 1956 as an acting Major General commanding the 26 Infantry Brigade, Brig Bal joined the Indian Airlines as chief administrative manager. Later, he was also the head of Department of Military Studies.

He set up two trusts, the Samaj Seva Kendra at Akrudi and the Old Folks Home at Ladghar, his native village. He also donated his mortal remains for the furtherance of medical sciences.