Rustom "Rusi" Khushro Shapur Ghandhi, PVSM, VrC was an Indian Navy Admiral.
Early life and education
Ghandhi was the son of Khushro Shapur Ghandhi and Dina Dhunji Shah Amroliwalah. He was born in 1924 in Jabalpur, India. He graduated from St. Joseph's College, Nainital, India, with an Intermediate Science degree in 1941. After a year of advanced studies at Allahabad University, he subsequently joined the Royal Navy with a permanent commission as an officer cadet on 1 January 1943.
- the 1965 war with Pakistan as Commander of the 14th frigate squadron and Captain of the INS Khukri; and
- the 1971 war with Pakistan to create Bangladesh when he commanded the INS Mysore, the flagship of the Western Naval Fleet. Vice Admiral Ghandhi played a decisive role in "Operation Vijay", the 1961 annexation of Goa which ended 451 years of Portuguese rule. Ghandhi commanded the senior ship INS Betwa during the naval battle at Mormugão Harbour. His Portuguese adversary, Captain António da Cunha Aragão, was in command of the destroyer NRP Afonso de Albuquerque, which was anchored off Mormugão Harbour. In the ensuing battle, the Afonso took a direct hit to its control tower, injuring its weapons officer, killing its radio officer and severely injuring its captain. Subsequently, the order was given to abandon ship, and the rest of the crew, along with their injured captain, disembarked directly onto the beach after setting fire to their ship. Following this, the captain was moved by car to the hospital at Panaji. The destroyer's crew surrendered formally along with the remaining Portuguese forces on 19 December 1961. As a gesture of goodwill, the commanders of INS Betwa and INS Beas later visited Captain Aragao as he lay recuperating in bed at Panjim, and presented him with a gift of brandy, chocolates, and dried fruit, since it was just before Christmas. In return, Captain Aragão gave Commander Ghandhi the keys to his cabin as a token of surrender. Commander Ghandhi also sent messages via England to inform Portugal that Captain Aragão was well. Vice Admiral Ghandhi was awarded the Vir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry for his role in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Post-retirement
Upon retirement from the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Ghandhi enjoyed a short stint as technical consultant for the motion picture The Sea Wolves, and played a cameo role as the Governor of Goa in it. He was appointed Chairman of the Shipping Corporation of India in 1981 and served in that capacity until 1986. From April 1986 to February 1990, while Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister of India, Vice Admiral Ghandhi served as Governor of the State of Himachal Pradesh, residing with Mrs. Ghandhi at Raj Bhavan in Shimla. During this period, Vice Admiral Ghandhi was awarded the Param Visishti Seva Medal PVSM for meritorious service of the highest order. In addition to governmental duties, Vice Admiral and Mrs. Ghandhi made many improvements to Raj Bhavan, including a complete restoration of the billiard room and the Durbar Hall, as well as the construction of a gazebo on the premises. Following his governorship, Vice Admiral Ghandhi served as a Member of the National Commission for Minorities from 1993 to 1996.
Personal life
He was married to Khorshed "Bubbles" Kharegat, daughter of Sir Peroz and Lady Kharegat, née Dadabhoy, on 1 January 1949, and had three children, Sandy, Yasmine and Delna. He was the oldest of five brothers, the others being Dhun, Sorab, Burz and Jamshed.
