|
President confers rank of Marshal on Arjan Singh |
 |
President K.R. Narayanan has formally conferred the rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Arjan Singh, the first Air Force officer to be elevated to this status. Singh, 82, headed the IAF for six years from 1964 and played a key role in bringing about significant changes in the structure and functioning of the Air Force. In recognition of his services during the 1965 war with Pakistan, the post of IAF Chief was upgraded to the rank of air Chief marshal.
Looking at least a decade younger than his age, Singh stood erect as Narayanan, the Supreme Commander of India’s Armed Forces, presented him the baton of the Marshal of the IAF at a brief investiture ceremony held in the ornate Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan or the presidential palace.
Top political leaders and military officials - including Prime Minister Vajpayee, Home Minister Advani, Defence Minister Fernandes, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and the IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy - attended the ceremony.
Singh, who will hold the five star rank for life, is only the third Indian military officer to be elevated to such a status. The two other officers are Field Marshals K.M. Cariappa and S.H.F.J. Manekshaw of the Indian Army.
Although the honour for Singh was announced on the eve of India’s Republic Day on January 26, the actual investiture ceremony had to be deferred as the President had not been keeping well.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding leadership during the Burma campaign in World War II, Singh was appointed the IAF Chief at the young age of 45.
After retiring from service, he served as India’s envoy to Switzerland and Kenya. He continues to be associated with various welfare activities of the Air Force.
|
