India Bids Farewell To Marshal Of IAF Arjan Singh

September 18, 2017 11:07

(Image source from: Deccanchronicle.com)

India Bids Farewell To Marshal Of IAF Arjan Singh:- The mortal remains of Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh is taking place will full state honors in new Delhi.

The cortege with Arjan Singh’s body wrapped in the flag left his 7, Kautilya Marg residence at 8:30 am It was decorated with marigold flowers. Singh’s last journey of 8 km was accompanied with an Air Force band.

Marshal IAF Arjan Singh

(Image Source: Deccanchronicle.com)

Singh died after a cardiac arrest at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital on Saturday at the age of 98. The last rites of Singh is being performed at Brar Square in the National Capital.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid her tributes to Marshal of IAF, Arjan Singh.

Marshal IAF Arjan Singh

(Image Source: Deccanchronicle.com)

Senior BJP leader LK Advani, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, IAF Chief BS Dhanoa and Chief of Naval staff Sunil Lanba were among the others who paid their tributes at Marshal of Air Force.

A 17-gun salute was given as a part of full state honor and flypast was given to offer tributes to Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh at Delhi's Brar Square.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited his home on Sunday and extended condolences to his family. President Ram nath Kovind tweeted,

“Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community 1/2 #PresidentKovind”

Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community 1/2 #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/j1Tlw2GWsI
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 16, 2017

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday stated that along with a state funeral and an appropriate gun salute, a Flypast may take place, depending on the weather conditions, to honor the contribution of Marshal of IAF, Arjan Singh.

Arjan Singh was the first five star officer of the IAF and was for a long time the only living five star officer. He is known for his role in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. In 1965, when Pakistan had launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armored thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor, Singh led the Indian Air Force through the war with courage, determination and professional skill.

Despite the constraints imposed on a full-scale use of air force combat power, Singh inspired the IAF to victory. Arjan Singh, during the second world war, commanded the 1 Squadron of the Air Force as they fought on the Burma front. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross by the British, for his bravery and leadership.

At the age of just 45, Arjan Singh rose up the ranks quickly and became Air Force Chief in 1964, with the birth of the Indian Air Force (IAF) shortly after independence. Arjan Singh was appointed as India’s first Marshal of the Indian Air Force in 2002. After Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he was the only five-star ranked officer in the country.

Arjan Singh was appointed as India’s ambassador to Switzerland and the Vatican and then the High Commissioner to Kenya, post his retirement. Between 1989 and 1990, he was Delhi’s Lt Governor.