Arjan Singh
Aspy Merwan Engineer | |
---|---|
Succeeded by | Pratap Chandra Lal |
Personal details | |
Born | Punjab, Pakistan) | 15 April 1919
Died | 16 September 2017 New Delhi, India | (aged 98)
Spouse |
Teji Singh
(m. 1948; died 2011) |
Children | 3 |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 |
Awards | |
Later work(s) | Chairman, IIT Delhi Director, Grindlays Bank National Commission for Minorities |
Singh attended the
After attending the
After retiring from the IAF, Singh served as a diplomat, politician and advisor to the
Early life and education
Singh was born on 15 April 1919 in
Singh's father was a
Singh was educated at
Military career
World War II
"The IAF had already extensive experience of fighting against the Pathans in the North-West Frontier Province, but I was eager to go into battle against the Japanese, then poised for an attack on eastern India, especially the Imphal-Kohima front."
Singh was commissioned as a
In 1943, Singh was promoted to acting
Singh led
The citation for the DFC reads as follows:[14]
CITATION
Acting Squadron Leader Arjan Singh (IND/1577)
Indian Air Force, No. 1 (IAF) Squadron
This officer has completed very many operational missions involving flights over difficult country, often in bad weather. He has displayed outstanding leadership, great skill and courage, qualities which have been reflected in the high morale and efficiency of the squadron which has won much success.
Singh relinquished command of No. 1 Squadron in December 1944, handing over to
Post independence
As part of the celebrations for
On his return to India, in December 1950, Singh was promoted to acting
Promoted to substantive Air Commodore, Singh again served as the AOC Operational Command, for the second time. In 1956, Singh led a squadron of
Singh was selected to attend the
Chief of the Air Staff
In May 1964, the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
In August 1965, as part of
Singh was awarded India's second-highest civilian award, the
On 7 June 1966, with the retirement of
After heading the IAF for almost five years, the second-longest term as Chief of the Air Staff in history, Singh retired in July 1969, at the age of 50.[15]
Diplomatic and political career
In 1971, after his retirement, Singh was appointed India's Ambassador to Switzerland, the Holy See and Liechtenstein.[31] He presented his credentials to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Rudolf Gnägi on 2 April 1971.[32]
After a three year stint at Bern, Singh then took over as the High Commissioner of India to Kenya in 1974.[33] Singh spent three years heading the High Commission of India at Nairobi, till 1977. Subsequently, he served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities from 1978 to 1981.[31]
Singh also served as the
On 12 December 1989, Singh was appointed
Promotion to Marshal of the Indian Air Force
On 25 January 2002, the Government of India announced that the rank of
Personal life
In 1948, Singh married Teji Singh, a lady of his own community and similar family background, in a match arranged by their families. They were married for 63 years before her death in April 2011. In 1949, their first daughter Amrita was born. Three years later, her brother Arvind Singh was born and the Singhs' youngest child Asha followed another three years later.[39] Teji Singh was the maternal aunt of actress Mandira Bedi.[40]
Later years and death
Singh's health declined in his final years, and he frequently made references to growing old and the passing away of many of his friends.
Singh suffered a cardiac arrest at his New Delhi residence in the early morning of 16 September 2017 and was rushed to the Army Hospital, Research and Referral, in New Delhi, where his condition was stated to be critical.[42] He died at 7:47 p.m. (IST) that evening.[25] After his passing, his body was returned to his home at 7A Kautilya Marg in New Delhi, where numerous visitors and dignitaries offered their respects, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Seetaraman and the three service chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces.[43] Accorded a state funeral by the Indian government, he was cremated at Brar Square in New Delhi on 18 September with full military honours, including a military flypast by IAF fighter jets and helicopters.[44] The National Flag flew at half-mast in Delhi.[45]
Legacy
Singh was the first officer to have kept his flying rank until he became CAS. He had flown over 60 different types of aircraft from Pre-WWII era biplanes to Folland Gnats and de Havilland Vampires. He also had flown in transports like the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation.[46] Singh remained active and worked for the welfare of air force veterans, contributing twenty million rupees from his personal wealth to set up a trust to this end. He was considered a father figure of the service.[47]
The Air Force Sports Control Board organises an annual Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial All India Hockey Tournament.[48][49][50] The IAF celebrated the birth centenary of the Marshal in April 2019. Events over a period of one year were planned across the country. The celebrations started with a seminar at Air Headquarters titled "Air Power in the 2040s: Impact of Technology", as a tribute to his vision of the Air Force. The then
Air Force Station Arjan Singh
On 14 April 2016, at an event to mark the Marshal's 97th birthday, the then
Awards and decorations
Padma Vibhushan | General Service Medal 1947 | Samar Seva Star
| |
Raksha Medal
|
Sainya Seva Medal
|
Indian Independence Medal | Distinguished Flying Cross |
1939–1945 Star | Burma Star | War Medal 1939–1945 | India Service Medal |
Dates of rank
Insignia | Rank | Component | Date of rank |
---|---|---|---|
Pilot Officer |
Royal Indian Air Force | 23 December 1939[57] | |
Flying Officer |
23 June 1941 | ||
Flight Lieutenant |
15 May 1942 | ||
Squadron Leader |
1 April 1944 (acting)[58] 18 May 1945 (substantive)[59] | ||
Wing Commander |
February 1945 (acting)[59] 15 August 1948 (substantive)[59] | ||
Group Captain |
16 August 1947 (acting)[59] | ||
Group Captain | Indian Air Force | 26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)[60] 15 August 1952 (substantive) | |
Air Commodore | 12 December 1950 (acting)[19] 1 October 1955 (substantive)[59] | ||
Air Vice Marshal | 1 May 1958 (acting)[61] 16 June 1960 (substantive)[59] | ||
Air Marshal (CAS) |
1 August 1964 (acting)[62] 1 December 1964 (substantive)[59] | ||
Air Chief Marshal (CAS) |
15 January 1966 [63] | ||
Marshal of the Indian Air Force | 26 January 2002[64] |
See also
- K M Cariappa
- Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
Notes
- ^ Indian military officers of five-star rank hold their rank for life, and are considered to be serving officers until their deaths.
- ^ Indian military officers of five-star rank hold their rank for life, and are considered to be serving officers until their deaths.
Citations
- ^ "IAF pays tribute to Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh on 101st birth anniversary". DNA India. 15 April 2020.
- ^ "When Arjan Singh sold off his farm for IAF personnel". The Tribune. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
- ^ a b c "Timeline of the life of IAF Marshal Arjan Singh". The Indian Express. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Air Marshal Arjan Singh dies at 98". The Statesmen. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ DelhiSeptember 18, Prabhash K. Dutta New; September 18, Prabhash K. Dutta New; Ist, Prabhash K. Dutta New. "Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh was actor Mandira Bedi's uncle and a fourth generation soldier". India Today.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ISBN 978-1788037-983.
- ^ a b "New Chief of Air Staff" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 13 May 1964.
- ^ Force, Indian Air (12 April 2019). "#ArjanSingh100 – MIAF Arjan Singh has been a sports achiever. As an ace swimmer, he held an all-India record in freestyle swimming in one mile and half mile events. He was the vice-captain of swimming, athletics and hockey teams during his training at RAF College Cranwell.pic.twitter.com/wUIX1WkJH9". @IAF_MCC.
- ^ a b Sapru 2014.
- ^ "Arjan Singh The man who was our Marshal". tribuneindia.com.
- ^ "A GLORIOUS ERA COMES TO AN END: THE MARSHAL OF THE INDIAN AIR FORCE ARJAN SINGH A LEGEND BREATHES HIS LAST AT ARMY HOSPITAL (R&R), NEW DELHI". pib.gov.in.
- ^ a b c "Arjan Singh, Indian Air Force Marshall and War Hero, Dies at 98". Loksatta. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Service, Tribune News. "Arjan Singh The man who was our Marshal". Tribuneindia News Service.
- ^ "No. 36542". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 May 1944. p. 2534.
- ^ a b c d "Arjan Singh: an epitome of military leadership". Manorma Online. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "Both of us were part of first flypast over Red Fort on August 15, 1947: Air Marshal Randhir Singh reminisces about Arjan Singh". The Indian Express. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Two Air Commodores Become Air Vice-Marshals" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 23 May 1958.
- ^ "ARJAN SINGH'S NEW APPOINTMENT" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ a b "WESTERN AIR COMMAND | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
- ^ "IAF Station New Delhi celebrates its 6th anniversary" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 15 September 1953.
- ^ "Two Air Commodores Become Air Vice-Marshals" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 23 May 1958.
- ^ "MILESTONES | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
- ^ "New Air Chief" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 13 May 1964.
- ^ "New Air Chief calls on prime Minister" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 31 July 1964.
- ^ a b c "Arjan Singh, Marshal of Indian Air Force, passes away". The Times of India. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Subramaniam 2016, p. 332.
- ^ "GALLANTRY AWARDS TO DEFENCE PERSONNEL" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 22 November 1965.
- ^ "Arjan Singh, Marshal of Indian Air Force, Dies at 98". NDTV. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "HIGHER RANK FOR AIR CHIEF" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 20 January 1966.
- ^ "AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ARJAN SINGH TO TAKE SALUTE AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE COLLEGE, CRANWELL" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 15 May 1967.
- ^ a b "Arjan Singh, Marshal of the Indian Air Force and key figure in 1965 Pak war, dies at 98". Hindustan Times. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh presented his credential" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 3 April 1971.
- ^ "Arjan Singh Envoy to Kenya" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 14 March 1974.
- ^ "PIB". pibarchive.nic.in. 25 January 2002.
- ^ "PRESS COMMUNIQUE" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 12 December 1989.
- ^ "Press Communique" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 14 December 1990.
- ^ "INDIA'S FIRST MARSHAL OF THE AIR FORCE". pibarchive.nic.in. 25 January 2002.
- ^ "World War II, 1965 India-Pakistan War: A look at Arjan Singh's distinguished career". Hindustan Times. 16 September 2017.
- ^ a b c Singh 2002.
- ^ a b "Mandira Bedi remembers uncle Arjan Singh: Even at 98, he used to play golf twice a week". The Hindustan Times. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "The last journey of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam - Dr Abdul Kalam's funeral". The Economic Times.
- ^ "Arjan Singh, Marshal of the Indian Air Force, critically ill, PM Modi visits him at Army R&R hospital". The Indian Express. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "State funeral for Arjan Singh; flag to fly at half mast in Delhi". The Hindu. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Marshal Arjan Singh cremated with military honours". The Hindu. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "National Flag will fly half-mast tomorrow in Delhi". pib.gov.in.
- ^ "Arjan Singh Padma Vibhushan, DFC CAS | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
- ^ "Marshal of The Air Force | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
- ^ "Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial All India Hockey Tournament". pib.gov.in.
- ^ "Marshal Arjan Singh memorial All India Hockey Tournament held at Chandigarh from May 7–12". uniindia.com.
- ^ "2nd Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial International Hockey Tournament 2019 Kicks off at Chandigarh". pib.gov.in.
- ^ "IAF Celebrates Birth Centenary of Late Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh DFC". pib.gov.in.
- ^ "IAF AND USI CONDUCT THE FIRST MARSHAL OF AIR FORCE ARJAN SINGH ANNUAL LECTURE". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (15 April 2016). "India's Oldest Serving Soldier, Marshal of Air Force, Gets Rare Honour". NDTV. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
To honour India's oldest serving soldier, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh – who turned 97 on Thursday...
- ^ a b "Bengal air base named after Arjan Singh". The Tribune. 15 April 2016. Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "Panagarh airbase to be renamed after Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh". ANI News. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ^ a b Pandey, Saurabh (15 April 2017). "Meet Marshal Arjan Singh, Who Made IAF A Nightmare for the Enemies And Guardian of Our Skies". Storypick. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ The Air Force List: October 1940. HM Stationery Office. 1940. p. 702.
- ^ "Service Record for Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh 1577 GD(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ^ "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India – Archive.
- ^ "Senior Air promotions in IAF" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 23 May 1958.
- ^ "New Air Chief calls on prime Minister" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 31 July 1964.
- ^ "Only Marshal of IAF, hero of 1965, Arjan Singh shaped the force". The Indian Express. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Latest Releases". pibarchive.nic.in. 25 January 2002.
- ^ "President Pranab Mukherjee honours Arjan Singh, others on golden jubilee of 1965 war triumph". India.com. 22 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
References
- Sapru, Somnath (2014), Combat Lore: Indian Air Force 1930-1945, KW Publishers Pvt Ltd, ISBN 978-9383649259
- Singh, Roopinder (2002), Arjan Singh: Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Rupa, ISBN 978-8171679386
- Subramaniam, Arjun (2016), India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971, HarperCollins, ISBN 978-9351777496
External links
- Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh – Indian Air Force Official Website
- Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh
- Book on Arjan Singh: Marshal of The Indian Air Force (Hardcover)
- Book review on Arjan Singh: Marshal of The Indian Air Force
- Article on Marshal of The Indian Air Force Arjan Singh