Chittoor Venugopal

Major General Chittoor Venugopal was born in the holy town of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, on 14 November 1927. His father's name was Shri C.Chinna Swami.

Major General Chittoor Venugopal was commissioned into the Indian Army in the 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment), on 10 December 1950.

At the time of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was commanding the 5/1 Gurkha Rifles battalion which was deployed in Jessore area of the Easter sector. On 4 December 1971, his battalion encountered well fortified Pakistani positions at Uthali and Darsana which had a series of concrete Pillbox (military) interconnected with elaborate communication trenches. Lieutenant Colonel Venugopal laid a meticulous plan of attack and showing disregard for his own safety, personally led the attack. After capturing the two positions, the 5/1 Gurkha Rifles battalion pursued the withdrawing enemy troops, giving them no rest or time to regroup, leading to the capture of Jhenida three days later. For his leadership and aggressive battle planning resulting in large military gains, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award.[3]