Arun Ananthanarayan
Arun Ananthanarayan is an acclaimed motivational speaker, strategy consultant, system analyst and storyteller, having served in the Indian Army for more than 40 years
Engaging and energizing! Arun Ananthanarayan inspires action and belief.
Kavya Menon
FMCG SectorWatch Arun Ananthanarayan Deliver Impactful Motivational Sessions
chennai
english, hindi, telugu, tamil
10+ years
resilience, transformational leadership, strategy, communications, crisis management
About Arun Ananthanarayan
Lt. Gen. Arun Ananthanarayan’s journey is a powerful reminder that true leadership is shaped not by comfort, but by choice, courage, and consistency. Securing an All India Rank of 13 in the IIT Joint Entrance Examination, he consciously chose the path of service over convention by joining the National Defence Academy. That decision led to a distinguished 42-year career in the Indian Army, where he served in some of the most complex operational, strategic, and international roles imaginable.
Rising to the rank of Lieutenant General, he held critical leadership positions including Chief of Staff, South Western Command, General Officer Commanding Dakshin Bharat Area, and Director General of Perspective and Strategic Planning at Army Headquarters. He also served as the Officiating Commandant of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, shaping the next generation of Indian military leaders. His global exposure includes senior appointments with the United Nations in Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and at the UN Headquarters in New York, contributing to coalition strategy, mission forecasting, and civilian–military coordination.
In January 2024, Lt. Gen. Arun Ananthanarayan was conferred the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, India’s highest peacetime military award, recognising his exceptional service and strategic impact. A recipient of the Sena Medal for Gallantry, Yudh Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, and multiple Chief of Army Staff Commendations, he has also survived serious combat injuries, experiences that deeply inform his talks on resilience, decision-making, and leadership under pressure. Post-retirement, he is a highly sought-after strategy consultant, leadership coach, and motivational speaker. Book Arun Ananthanarayan as a motivational speaker for your next event.
Lt. Gen. Arun Ananthanarayan’s journey is a powerful reminder that true leadership is shaped not by comfort, but by choice, courage, and consistency. Securing an All India Rank of 13 in the IIT Joint Entrance Examination, he consciously chose the path of service over convention by joining the National Defence Academy. That decision led to a distinguished 42-year career in the Indian Army, where he served in some of the most complex operational, strategic, and international roles imaginable.
Rising to the rank of Lieutenant General, he held critical leadership positions including Chief of Staff, South Western Command, General Officer Commanding Dakshin Bharat Area, and Director General of Perspective and Strategic Planning at Army Headquarters. He also served as the Officiating Commandant of the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, shaping the next generation of Indian military leaders. His global exposure includes senior appointments with the United Nations in Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and at the UN Headquarters in New York, contributing to coalition strategy, mission forecasting, and civilian–military coordination.
In January 2024, Lt. Gen. Arun Ananthanarayan was conferred the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, India’s highest peacetime military award, recognising his exceptional service and strategic impact. A recipient of the Sena Medal for Gallantry, Yudh Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, and multiple Chief of Army Staff Commendations, he has also survived serious combat injuries, experiences that deeply inform his talks on resilience, decision-making, and leadership under pressure. Post-retirement, he is a highly sought-after strategy consultant, leadership coach, and motivational speaker. Book Arun Ananthanarayan as a motivational speaker for your next event.
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Career Highlights and Achievements of Arun Ananthanarayan
Director General
Served as Director General of the Indian Army
Officiating Commandant
Held the position of Officiating Commandant at OTA Chennai
Sena Medal for Gallantry
Sena Medal for Gallantry for displaying exceptional courage
Vishisht Seva Medal
Received the Vishisht Seva Medal for exceptional service
Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Chief of the Army Staff Commendation
Received the Chief of the Army Staff’s Commendation
United Nations Missions
Served with the United Nations Transitional Authority
United Nations Headquarters
Served at UN Headquarters, contributing to forecasting
UN Senior Mission Leaders Course
Successfully completed the United Nations Senior Mission Leaders Course
Veteran of Combat Operations
Seriously wounded during operations & decorated with multiple awards
Acclaimed Military Orator & Strategist
Has conducted & spoken at over 1,030 events & seminars worldwide
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Snapshots of Arun Ananthanarayan
Showcasing some prominent images and videos of Arun Ananthanarayan including our previous events and other endeavors.
Arun Ananthanarayan
Arun Ananthanarayan is an acclaimed motivational speaker, strategy consultant, system analyst and storyteller, having served in the Indian Army for more than 40 years
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