Marshal of Indian Air Force ArjanSingh passes away at 98

[padamchen]

Rest in peace sir.

And thank you for your service.

I've been reading about it since morning on our fauji WhatsApp groups but there was some talk of confusion, etc so was hoping it wasn't true ....

Respectfully, with sorrow, Doc

 

[anant_s]

https://twitter.com/x/status/909084104230019072

Old Soldiers never die
they just fade away.
Rest in Peace

 

[Jugger]

RIP!
One of our most decorated military man.
He has given more to the nation than what the nation has given to him.
He sold his land and gave the proceedings for army welfare.
Salute sir...!

 

[raj76]

 

[The_Sidewinder]

Rest in peace sir

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
16-September, 2017 18:52 IST
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Visited Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh in Hospital

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh who is critically ill following a cardiac attack today morning. Prime Minister was received by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman and three Service Chiefs at Army Hospital R&R, New Delhi. A team of Doctors is monitoring his condition at Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Centre of Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi.

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Prime Minister's Office
16-September, 2017 18:37 IST
PM visits Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh at the hospital; wishes him a speedy recovery


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has visited Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. The Prime Minister also met his family members and wished him a speedy recovery.

“Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members.

We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best”, the Prime Minister tweeted.

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Prime Minister's Office
16-September, 2017 21:42 IST
PM condoles the demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh.

In a series of tweets from his twitter handle the Prime Minister said that the Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh’s determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities. Calling him a distinguished air warrior and a fine human the Prime Minister extended his thoughts to his family and those mourning his unfortunate demise.

“India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation.

Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh’s determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities.

India will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action.

Sometime back I met him, who despite his ill health tried to get up to salute even though I said no. Such was his soldier discipline.

My thoughts are with his family and those mourning the demise of a distinguished air warrior and fine human, Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh. RIP”, the Prime Minister said.

***

Ministry of Defence
16-September, 2017 21:03 IST
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

Today evening at 1947 hours, The Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh breathed his last at the Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi. He was 98. He was admitted to the hospital today morning following a cardiac arrest. He was being treated at the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences Centre of the hospital.

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Air Force when he was only 44 years old, a responsibility he carried with elan. He was the Chief of IAF when it saw action in the year 1965.

Arjan Singh was born on 15 April 1919, in Lyalpur of undivided Punjab. He completed his education from Montgomery. In 1938 when he got selected for the Empire Pilot training course at RAF Cranwell, he was still in college and was only 19 years old.

His first posting on being commissioned involved flying Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 IAF Squadron. Arjan Singh flew against the tribal forces before he was transferred for a brief stint with the newly formed No.2 IAF Squadron. Later he moved back to No.1 Sqn as a Flying Officer, when the Squadron was re-equipped with the Hawker Hurricane.

Promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in 1944, Arjan Singh also flew Close Support missions during the crucial Imphal Campaign and later assisted the advance of the allied forces to Rangoon, Burma. For his role in successfully leading the squadron during combat, Arjan Singh received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. He was given command of the IAF Display flight which flew Hawker Hurricanes after the war that toured India giving demonstrations. On 15 August 1947, he was given the unique honour of leading the fly-past of more than a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi.

Immediately after independence, he took over the command of Air Force Station, Ambala, in the rank of Group Captain. In 1949, after promotion to the rank of Air Commodore, Arjan Singh took over as the Air Officer Commanding of Operational Command, which later came to be known as the Western Air Command. Arjan Singh had the distinction of having the longest tenure as the AOC of Operational Command, from 1949-1952 and again from 1957-1961. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, he was the AOC-in-C of Operational Command. Towards the end of the 1962 war, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff and became the Vice Chief of Air Staff by 1963.

On 01 August 1964, Arjan Singh took over as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) in the rank of Air Marshal. Arjan Singh was the first Air Chief who kept his flying category till his CAS rank. Having flown over 60 different types of aircraft from Pre-Second World War era biplanes to the more contemporary Gnats & Vampires, he had also flown in transports like the Super Constellation.

A testing time came in September 1965 when Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam, in which an armoured thrust targeted the vital town of Akhnur, he was summoned into the Defence Minister's office with a request for air support. When asked how quickly the IAF will be ready for operations,he replied with his characteristic nonchalance,"...in an hour". And true to his word, the Air Force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour. He led the IAF through the war showing unparalleled leadership.

Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 War and subsequently the rank of the CAS was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal. Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force. He retired in July 1969, thereupon accepting ambassadorship to Switzerland. He remained a flyer till the end of his tenure in the IAF, visiting forward squadrons & units and flying with them. Arjan Singh was and remains a source of inspiration to generations of Indians.

In recognition of his services, the Government of India conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force onto Arjan Singh in January 2002 making him the first and the only 'Five Star' rank officer of the Indian Air Force. In 2016 Air Force Station, Panagarh was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh.

His demise marks an end of a glorious era of the Indian Air Force.

 

[Hindustani78]

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind paying homage at the mortal remains of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force (Late) Arjan Singh, in New Delhi on September 17, 2017.

President's Secretariat
17-September, 2017 14:16 IST
For Generations of our Fellow Citizens, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh has remained A Living Legend, says President


The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has written to Shri Arvind Singh, son of Marshal Arjan Singh, conveying his condolences on the passing away of Marshal Arjan Singh.

In his message, the President has said, “I am extremely saddened to learn about the passing of our great and cherished air warrior and Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC.

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh was a hero of World War II and won our nation's gratitude for his military leadership in the War of 1965. He served the nation with distinction and was the first and only officer of the Indian Air Force who was honoured with the five-star rank as Marshal of the Air Force.

For generations of our fellow citizens, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh has remained a living legend. His service to the nation continued even outside uniform, as Lt. Governor of Delhi, Ambassador of India to Switzerland and the Vatican, High Commissioner to Kenya and Member of the National Commission for Minorities. For his services and achievements, he was honoured with numerous awards including the Padma Vibhushan.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey these to other members of your family as well as the Indian Air Force community. I pray to the Almighty to give you and your family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss. The nation mourns with you”.

***

Vice President's Secretariat
17-September, 2017 12:01 IST
Vice President condoles the passing away of Marshal of Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh


The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has condoled the passing away of the Marshal of Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh. In a message, he said that the Marshal was famous for his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan war and an icon of the Indian military history. The Panagarh air base in West Bengal would be called Air Force Station Arjan Singh and he was the only living officer to have a base named after him, he added.


Following is the text of Vice President's message:


"I am deeply grieved to hear about the sad demise of the Marshal of Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, India's oldest, five-star ranked air force officer.


The Marshal of the Air Force was famous for his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan war. An icon of the Indian military history, the then Chief of Air Staff Arjan Singh had led a young Air Force into the war in 1965 when he was hardly 44 years of age.


In 2016, the Indian Air Force named its Panagarh (West Bengal) air base after Arjan Singh on the occasion of his 97th birth anniversary. The Panagarh base would be called Air Force Station Arjan Singh. He was the only living officer to have a base named after him.


I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved members of the family and join the nation in praying for eternal peace for the departed soul."


***

Vice President's Secretariat
17-September, 2017 12:01 IST
Vice President condoles the passing away of Marshal of Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh


The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has condoled the passing away of the Marshal of Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh. In a message, he said that the Marshal was famous for his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan war and an icon of the Indian military history. The Panagarh air base in West Bengal would be called Air Force Station Arjan Singh and he was the only living officer to have a base named after him, he added.


Following is the text of Vice President's message:


"I am deeply grieved to hear about the sad demise of the Marshal of Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, India's oldest, five-star ranked air force officer.


The Marshal of the Air Force was famous for his role in the 1965 India-Pakistan war. An icon of the Indian military history, the then Chief of Air Staff Arjan Singh had led a young Air Force into the war in 1965 when he was hardly 44 years of age.


In 2016, the Indian Air Force named its Panagarh (West Bengal) air base after Arjan Singh on the occasion of his 97th birth anniversary. The Panagarh base would be called Air Force Station Arjan Singh. He was the only living officer to have a base named after him.


I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved members of the family and join the nation in praying for eternal peace for the departed soul."


***

Ministry of Defence
17-September, 2017 13:52 IST
Arrangements in Connection With Final Rites for Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh

The mortal remains of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh will lie in state today at his residence 7A, Kautilya Marg, New Delhi to enable people to pay their respects. The President of India, the Defence Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Defence, Chiefs of the three Services, Minister of State for Urban Development and other dignitaries paid their respects.

The mortal remains will be conveyed to the funeral site from his residence tomorrow starting at 08:15 hrs in a gun carriage procession. A state funeral will be held from 0930 hrs onwards on 18th Sept 2017 at Brar Square, Naraina. Gun salute will be given and a fly past will be organised before the final rites.

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Ministry of Home Affairs
17-September, 2017 10:32 IST
National Flag will fly half-mast tomorrow in Delhi

The Government of India announces with profound sorrow the death of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh at Army Research and Referral Hospital, New Delhi yesterday (16th September, 2017).

The last rites of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh would be performed at Barar Square, Delhi at 10 a.m. tomorrow (18th September, 2017). As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, a state funeral will be accorded and national flag will fly half-mast on the day of the funeral (i.e. 18th September, 2017) in Delhi on all buildings where it is flown regularly.

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[Gurjot.S]

 

[ashok321]

On Arjan Singh's death, Indian PM played politics and high drama for votes.

Actually he went to see the dead body knowingly for photo opportunity, defying all ICU norms of no cell phone & camera:

Internet pe sabki chori pakdi jati hai....Thanks to time stamp...

 

[ashok321]

https://twitter.com/x/status/909454179277475840

No national mourning for Hero Arjun Singh?
Because of Modi's birthday, which should be celebrated?

https://twitter.com/x/status/909456888353349632

 

[Hindustani78]

Body of Arjan Singh, Marshall of the Indian Air Force being brought in to his house in New Delhi on Sunday. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh who passed away on Saturday evening will be laid to rest with full state honours on Monday.

“The last rites of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh would be performed at Brar Square, Delhi at 10 a.m. tomorrow, September 18. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, a state funeral will be accorded and national flag will fly half-mast on the day of the funeral in Delhi on all buildings where it is flown regularly,” the Government said in a statement on Sunday.

Singh, the only five star officer of the IAF, was admitted in the Army’s Research & Referral hospital after a cardiac arrest on Saturday morning and breathed his last at 07.47 p.m. He was 98.

Arjan Singh was the only Air Force officer to be promoted to five-star rank. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
The mortal remains of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh will lie today at his residence 7A, Kautilya Marg, New Delhi to enable people to pay their respects.

The President of India, the Defence Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Defence, Chiefs of the three Services, Minister of State for Urban Development and other dignitaries paid their respects.

The mortal remains will be conveyed to the funeral site from his residence tomorrow starting at 08.15 a.m. in a gun carriage procession. Gun salute will be given and a fly past will be organised before the final rites tomorrow.

Condolences continue pouring in for Marshal Singh who as IAF Chief played a key role in the 1965 war with Pakistan. He was made Marshal of the IAF in 2002.

“The greatest air warrior, true leader and an icon for generations to come, Marshal of the Air Force, Arjan Singh, will be missed by the entire nation,” Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said in a message.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa paying homage to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat paying homage to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba paying homage to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman laying wreath while paying homage to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman paying homage to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (I/C), Shri Hardeep Singh Puri paying homage to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

The former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh paying homage to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

Three Service Chiefs: Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, General Bipin Rawat and Admiral Sunil Lanba giving last salute to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, at Brar Square crematorium, in New Delhi on September 18, 2017.

 

[Chhatrapati]

RIP

Great loss to my country.

 

[Hindustani78]

New Delhi, September 18, 2017 10:30 IST
Updated: September 18, 2017 17:19 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...aid-to-rest/article19707787.ece?homepage=true

Marshal Arjan Singh’s body being taken for last rites at Brar square in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Arjan Singh, the only Air Force officer to be promoted to five-star rank, passed away on Saturday.
The nation on Monday bid farewell to Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh with full military honours and as per tradition.

His mortal remains, which were kept at his residence on Sunday for people to pay their last respects, were moved to Brar square in Delhi cantonment in the morning on Monday.

Marshal Singh, the only five star officer of the IAF, was admitted in the Army’s Research & Referral hospital after a cardiac arrest on Saturday morning where he breathed his last at 07:47 PM. He was 98.

His son Arvind Singh, who is based in the US, lit the funeral pyre.

He was given a 17 gun salute by 25 pound field artillery guns. Following this three Mi-17 helicopters flew in a ‘vic’ formation trooping the IAF colours. Then, three Su-30MKi fighter aircraft flew in a ‘missing man’ formation signifying the loss of a fallen comrade.

Flypast by IAF helicopter as a mark of respect to Marshal Arjan Singh | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Marshal Singh as IAF Chief played a key role in achieving complete air superiority in the 1965 war with Pakistan. He was made Marshal of the IAF in 2002.

The Government had declared a state funeral on Monday and the national flag on all Government buildings in Delhi will fly at half-mast. However, it was surprising that no state mourning was declared given the iconic status of Marshal Singh and his contributions to the IAF and the nation.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, senior BJP leader L.K. Advani, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three service Chiefs were among those who attended the last rites.

While Marshal Singh was the first and only Marshal of the Air Force, he is also one of the only three five star officers in the history of Independent India.

The other two were Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. His death brings down the curtains on an era which spanned an eventful period from World War I in the early twentieth century to 2017 in the twenty first century.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
18-September, 2017 09:11 IST
The Nation Bids Adieu to The Marshal of The Indian Air Force Arjan Singh

Mortal remains of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh (MIAF) - a legendary icon of IAF were cremated with full state honours at Brar Square Crematorium in Delhi Cantt today. The Marshal breathed his last at the Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi on 16th September 2017 following a cardiac arrest. He was 98.

This morning at 0815 hrs, the funeral procession started from the Marshal’s residence at 7A, Kautilya Marg. His mortal remains were carried in a Gun Carriage to Brar Square Crematorium. The Inter Services Guard presented the salute followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister. The wreaths were laid in person by Dr. Manmohan Singh former Prime Minister, Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri MoS Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri LK Advani, Shri Anil Baijal Lt. Governor of Delhi, Shri Vijai Kapoor former Lt. Governor of Dehli, Commissioner Dehli Police Shri Amulya Patnaik. Three Service Chiefs also paid homage by laying wreath. Former Chiefs of Army and Air Force also laid the wreaths.

After the religious rituals, the mortal remains were consigned to flames while seventeen Gun salutes boomed. The Indian Air Force paid their last respect to the Marshal of the Air Force through a fly past led by three Mi-17 V5 aircraft trooping IAF colours. Three Su-30 MKI aircraft thereafter flew over the crematorium in a ‘Missing Man’ formation. ‘Missing Man’ formation is flown to honour a deceased comrade in arms celebrating the spirit of an eternal warrior.

Earlier on 17th September 2017, the mortal remains of the MIAF were taken to his residence in New Delhi, where he lay ‘in state’ for people to pay their homage. President Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and many dignitaries including the three Service Chiefs paid glowing tributes to the departed soul.

As the last post was sounded by the bugle at Brar Square it marked the end of a glorious era of the Indian Air Force.

******

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
05-May, 2018 17:10 IST
Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial All India Hockey Tournament

Late Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh DFC was the first and the only ‘Five Star’ rank officer of the IAF and was a keen lover of the game of Hockey. The IAF legend has always been an inspiration to the Air Warriors and lead from the front not only in the field of battle but also in sporting activities. The first ‘Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial’ All India Hockey Tournament is being conducted by Air Force Sports Control Board, New Delhi to honour the great soldier.

To propel the awareness of Hockey and also to reinstate its prominence, a national level tournament uniting 16 teams (eight elite club teams of the country with another eight teams from the armed forces and para military forces) is being held at Chandigarh from 07 to 12 May 18. The matches will be conducted at 3 Base Repair Depot (Air Force) and Sector 42 Astro Turf Hockey Grounds at Chandigarh.



Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC would be the Chief Guest for the final match on 12 May 18. Curtain raiser and press conference of the tournament will be held on 06 May 18. Air Marshal Hemant Sharma AVSM VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command will declare the tournament open. Prominent sports personalities have also been invited to witness and grace the occasion.



The Indian Air Force has always been in the forefront for promoting sports and games. The recently concluded Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, Australia yielded a rich haul of 03 medals from the Air Force stables. The medal harvest is a testimony to the impetus being provided by the IAF towards sporting excellence. The ‘Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial’ All India Hockey Tournament is yet another endeavour in the direction of achieving sporting prowess in our National sport.



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