general of the Royal Nepalese Army (Now Nepalese Army). He was principal honorary army ADC to the president. He was president of Equestrian Federation of India and deputy chairman of the special organising committee of the 1982 Asian Games. He was patron of the Indian Ex-Services League, United Service Institution of India and National Adventure Foundation. Gen Krishna Rao retired from service on 31 July 1983. Progenitor of the "Cold Start" military doctrine Gen Krishna Rao is credited with coming up with a unique military doctrine, now recognized and termed as 'Cold Start', during India's clashes with Pakistan, when the delay in political decision making resulted in constraining the mobilization of India's military actions. At the core of this doctrine is the initiation of swift, immediate, multiple strikes to counter and contain the enemy nation's aggression, in the interest of safety of the nation, without losing time and strategic advantage due to possible delays in political decisions owing to various domestic and international factors. Gubernatorial assignments From June 1984 to July 1989, General Krishna Rao was the governor of the North Eastern States of Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura. He was also the governor of Mizoram in June 1988 and March to July 1989. He was chancellor of the Manipur and Tripura Universities. He was chairman of the North East Zone Culture Centre. In his capacity of governor of the North Eastern States, he ensured that peace was brought about and maintained, and that the Tripura Agreement was concluded. General Krishna Rao was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir during 1989–90. As the governor, He was chancellor of the University of Kashmir, University of Jammu and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir. He was also chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. When a proxy war developed in Jammu and Kashmir and reached its peak, he was reappointed as governor and served there from 12 March 1993 to 1 May 1998. In this capacity, he was instrumental in restoring peace and democracy in the insurgency-riven state after a long gap of seven years. Personal life He was married to K. Radha Rao and has one son, Narayan and one daughter, Lalitha. His son, K V Narayan Rao, was CEO of the media house NDTV; he died in November 2017 after battling cancer, and within 2 years after his father's death in early 2016. General Krishna Rao