By Pallab Ghosh 

Former Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passes away at Army Research and Referal hospital in New Delhi tonight. He was 98 years old and only 5 star ranked officer of the IAF. Born on April 15, 1919 in Lyallpur, present day Faislabad in Pakistan,  and was selected at the age of 19 years for a pilot training course at Royal Air Force College, Cranwell.

In 1939, he had to cut short his training due to the World War II. Joined Sqdn 1 in Ambala and took over as Commanding Officer Sqdn 1 in 1934. 

Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh was a true legend of Indian Air Force and veteran of many wars including 1965 India Pakistan battle where the IAF devastated Pakistan Air Force fighter jets with severe fire and thunder from the sky. He will be remembered by the nation for his unmatched inspiration dedication and devotion in the service of motherland.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sitharaman visited the hospital to see Arjan Singh, who was the only Indian Air Force officer to be promoted to 5-star rank. 

He was Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), from 1 August 1964 to 15 July 1969, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1965. When appointed as Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, he was just about 45. At such a young age, he commanded the Air Force in war. He has been the only Chief of the Air Staff to have headed the Air Force for five years as opposed to the regular tenure of two and a half to three years.

On 14 April 2016 at an event to mark the Marshal`s 97th birthday, the then Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha announced that Indian Air Force base at Panagarh in West Bengal will be named after MIAF Arjan Singh in honor of his service, and will be called Air Force Station Arjan Singh from then.

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. 

President Kovind has also twitted to express his condolences.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh too has condoled the death of SIngh on Twitter. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his condolences on Twitter. Apart from many political leaders have twitter to mourn the death of thsi great son of soil.  

According to initial reports, his mortal remains will be taken to his residence where it will be kept. The last rites will be performed on Sunday with full state honour. His son who stays in the United States of America is expected to reach India by Sunday afternoon. However, final decission regarding the last rites will be taken only after his son arrives.   

Though, he retired in 1970 from the services, he kept himsef active and even attend to every function that he would be invited even a few months back. 

Let’s take a glance at the illustrious career of Late Arjan Singh:

1971:Appointed India’s Ambassador to Switzerland.

1974: Appointed Indian High Commissioner to Kenya.

1980s: At the height of militancy in Punjab he was part of a 5-member committee that would go door to door in the state and try to bridge the differences between Hindus & Sikhs.

Also Read: Indian Air Force Marshal and 1965 war hero Arjan Singh dies at 98

1989: Janata government appoints Arjan Singh as the L-G of Delhi as an attempt to apply balm to the wounds of the Sikh community

2002: Conferred with the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force making him the first and the only ‘Five Star’ rank officer with the Indian Air Force.

April, 2011: Wife Teji Singh passes away at the age of 80.

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