Army gets its first Sikh chief

The UPA government today appointed Western Army Commander Lt Gen Joginder Jaswant Singh as the next Chief of Army Staff. Singh 59, seniormost three-star officer in the Army, is the first Sikh officer designated for the Army8217;s top job. He will succeed present Army chief Gen N.C. Vij, who retires on January 31.

8216;8216;I am happy and honoured. Ours is a professional army and a disciplined, progressive force. The vision of our force has been set out by our present chief,8217;8217; Singh said this evening. He added that the Army8217;s vision statement would not change in a day. Singh8217;s family, including father Lt Col Jaswant Singh Marwah, was also present.

Born on September 17, 1945, in Bhawalpur in present-day Pakistan, Singh has held the distinction of commanding both Army8217;s Western Command and Training Command. An alumnus of the National Defence Staff College in Wellington, he became the public face of the Army in 1999 as Addl Director General of Military Operations during the Kargil war.

Singh is decorated with the Param Vishisht Sewa medal PVSM and the Vishisht Sewa medal VSM is also an honorary Aide-de-Camp ADC to the President.