Page 8 - NIS English 16-30,April 2023

Personality Arjan Singh

ARJAN SINGH: THE

ONLY ‘FIVE-STAR'

RANK OFFICER OF THE

INDIAN AIR FORCE

Arjan Singh, the Indian Air Force's first and
only 'Five Star' officer. He not only played
a significant role in the India-Pakistan war
in 1965, but also helped to strengthen
the country's defence capabilities. The
government of India awarded him the Padma
Vibhushan for his unwavering courage. His
incredible personality, work skills, leadership,
BORN: 15 APRIL 1919 | DIED: 16 SEPTEMBER 2017 and strategic sense made him one-of-a-kind,
and his legend is an inspiration.

arshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh was 1969. From 1971 to 1977, he served as India's
born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur (now Ambassador and Indian High Commissioner
MFaisalabad, Pakistan). He was selected in various countries. For about a year, he also
for training at RAF College Cranwell at the age assumed the duties of the Lieutenant Governor
of 19, and he was commissioned into the Royal of Delhi.
Air Force as a pilot officer in December 1939. He In recognition of Arjan Singh's contributions,
received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for the Government of India appointed him Marshal
his actions during World War II's Burma Campaign. of the Air Force in January 2002, making him the
On August 15, 1947, in independent India, he led a Air Force's first "Five-Star" officer. In 2016, Air
flight parade of more than a hundred planes over Force Station Panagarh was renamed Air Force
Delhi's Red Fort. Arjan Singh twas appointed Station Arjan Singh in honour of his contribution
Chief of the Air Staff on August 1, 1964, with the by the Indian Air Force. On September 16, 2017,
rank of Air Marshal at the age of 44. he died at the age of 98.
When Pakistan launched Operation Grand Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited
Slam in September 1965, he was summoned to Arjan Singh in the hospital. On his death, PM
the Defence Minister's Office for Air Cooperation Modi had said, "The country is saddened by the
and asked, "How soon can the Indian Air Force death of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan
be ready?" "Within an hour," Arjan Singh said, in Singh. We remember him for his outstanding
his signature relaxed tone. Indeed, the Indian Air service to the country. Marshal of the Indian Air
Force not only responded to the Pakistani attack Force Arjan Singh placed a strong emphasis on
within an hour, but also dominated it, assisting capacity building in the Indian Air Force and has
the Indian Army in achieving maximum strategic strengthened our defence capabilities.
victory. India will never forget Marshal of the Indian
He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his Air Force Arjan Singh's outstanding leadership in
outstanding leadership during the 1965 war. Arjan 1965, when the Indian Air Force took significant
Singh became the Indian Air Force's first Air Chief action. I met him a while ago. Then, despite his
Marshal. He continued to work for the betterment illness, he attempted to salute me by standing up,
and welfare of the Air Force after retiring in July but I declined. He had the discipline of a soldier."

6 New India Samachar April 16-30, 2023