New Delhi: In a proud moment for Kerala, Major General P V Lisamma has assumed charge as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Military Nursing Service. A native of Changanassery in Kerala, she has been living in Kollam’s Punalur, for the past 34 years after marriage. An alumna of the Military Hospital School of Nursing in Jalandhar, her journey through the ranks of the Indian Armed Forces is a story of dedication and perseverance.

She succeeds Major General P D Sheena, who recently retired. Lisamma began her career in the Military Nursing Service in 1986 and went on to earn a postgraduate degree in Hospital Administration, all while actively serving in the force.

Throughout her illustrious career, Major General Lisamma has held several major positions: Principal Matron at the Air Force Command Hospital in Bengaluru, senior roles in the Command Hospital of the Eastern Command, Brigadier at the Military Nursing Service Headquarters of the Eastern Command, Brigadier (Admin) in the MNS under the Ministry of Defence, and Principal Matron at the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi.

 

A daughter of Changanassery, a pride of Punalur
 


Punalur, her home for over three decades, is proud of its own—Major General Lisamma, who reached the highest ranks of the Military Nursing Service. She entered the family of Nellikapalli Babu Mahal in Punalur as the wife of advocate and Central Government notary Babu John in 1991. Born to the late P T Varghese and Maryamma Varghese of Nalukody Planthoppil in Changanassery, Lisamma completed her pre-degree at Assumption College, Changanassery, before pursuing nursing at Jalandhar.

From joining the military as a young lieutenant in 1986, she steadily rose through the ranks, serving in various key institutions across Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi as Vice Principal, Principal of Colleges of Nursing and Principal Matron. She has been awarded the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Card and several other honours for her distinguished service. Amidst her demanding career, she also managed to complete a law degree and a postgraduate course in Hospital Administration.

Despite her responsibilities, Lisamma never missed a chance to return to Punalur during her vacations to spend time with her family. Her children, Prince John Babu, an engineer based in Abu Dhabi, and Priya Maria Babu, a lawyer, are both settled in their careers. Her daughter-in-law Dr Rithu Rachel George is currently pursuing her MD in Bengaluru.