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MARSHAL OF THE AIR FORCE ARJAN SINGH ANNUAL LECTURE 2023

Year : 2023

Annual Memorial Lecture

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Padma Vibhushan, DFC

 

On 20 Dec 2023, The United Service Institution (USI) of India in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF), organised the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Padma Vibhushan, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), First Memorial Lecture on the topic ‘Legacy of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh as a Visionary and Strategic Leader’. The Welcome Remarks were delivered by Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM and Bar (Retd), Director General, USI. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd), Former Chief of Air Staff, delivered the Keynote Address and Maj Gen RS Yadav, VSM (Retd), Director, Centre for Strategic Studies and Simulation (CS3), USI gave the Vote of Thanks. The occasion was graced by distinguished audience including Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Chief of the Air Staff; Former Air Chief Marshal NC Suri, PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd), serving senior and veteran officers of IAF and other services and research scholars. A significant number of participants also joined digitally. The lecture was a tribute to the legendary Arjan Singh, commemorating his momentous and exceptional achievements.

          Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Padma Vibhushan, DFC

 Memorial Lecture

Key Highlights of the Event:

 

·         The occasion reflected the glorious achievements and profound legacy of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Padma Vibhushan, DFC, as he earned many firsts to his credit. He became the First Indian Officer to be awarded DFC for his exceptional courage during the Burma Campaign in World War II. In recognition of the Indian Air Force's role in the 1965 Indo-Pak War, he was appointed as the First Air Chief Marshal, elevating the rank of Chief of the Air Staff.  He was additionally bestowed with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan for outstanding contributions during the war.


Welcome Remarks by Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM **(Retd), DG, USI

·         By exhibiting an unwavering dedication towards the nation, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh earned enormous trust and respect. His remarkable valour and courage displayed throughout his exceptional career is highly applauded. In the air combat in the North Western Frontier Province and Arakan campaign, he was widely admired for his immense bravery.



 Keynote Address by Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd), Former Chief of Air Staff

·         Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh flew more than 60 different types of aircraft. His legacy as a visionary and strategic leader is responsible for creating a solid foundation of the IAF. Post-independence, he played a pivotal role in shaping the IAF with vision and immense foresight. He championed the modernisation of the fleet which included the induction of state-of-the-art supersonic jet fighters and bombers, which effectively transformed the IAF at that time.



Token of Appreciation

 

·         After retiring in 1969, Arjan Singh took on various roles, including serving as India's Ambassador to Switzerland and High Commissioner to Kenya. His dedication to public service went beyond his military career, evident in positions such as Chairman of IIT Delhi and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. During his exceptional career, The Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh was recognised with awards like Legion of Merit and Order of the Defender.

 

·         In Jan 2002, he was honoured with the rare ‘Five Star’ rank of the Marshal of the Air Force. He held this distinctive rank for 15 years until his demise in 2017, remaining the sole officer in the Indian Air Force to hold this honour. His journey has left an enduring mark on the history of the IAF.

 

 

 

Report by: Ms Nandini Agarwal, CS3, USI




 
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