The Army will provide all help to promote Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar as an officer in the force soon after he was promoted as a Subedar Major, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh said on Thursday.
The announcement was made by the Army Chief here soon after Vijay Kumar was made a Subedar Major.
“This commission (to the grade of officer) has to be granted by the President and certain rules have to be followed. We will provide all help to him as he is very capable ... he talks in English and is very educated and has the capabilities to become an officer. We will further strengthen his capabilities to make him a commissioned officer,” he said.
Gen Singh was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to felicitate 14 Olympians belonging to the Army.
Addressing the gathering, he said as per the existing policy, two promotions have been given to the ace shooter.
Meanwhile, Vijay Kumar said he felt that “justice has been done to him” with the cash award of Rs 30 lakh and promotion to Subedar Major.
“I can say yes. For the last four last years I was waiting for my incentives. This promotion was due last year and I have got it now. Now, I can say yes,” he said, when asked if justice has been done to him.
Vijay Kumar, however, denied that he had ever said anything about quitting the Army. “I have not said that I will leave the Army. It was the work of some media person who had misquoted me. I had just said that if the Central government has provision for promotions, then the Defence Ministry should do so,” he said.
The Olympian said, “There were certain things due to me which have now been given. My promotion to the rank of Subedar Major was due last year. The Army Chief has assured me that he will take steps to give me a commissioned rank and action will start in a few days.”
On the allegation that Army personnel produced fake certificates of participation in national games for promotion, Gen Singh said, “I am going into it. Let me assure you that if anyone is found doing anything wrong, they will not be spared.
We are going to institute measures for having checks and balances to prevent these things.”
Keywords: Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar, Subedar Major, promotion, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh
Vijay Kumar is outstanding sportsman ,He should be given Commission
Officer rank without any dalay.Govt can give honor to MS Dhoni as LTCOL
in Indian Army and Sachan Tandulkar as Group Captain in Air Force.why
not Vijay Kumar be given the same promotion who is already in Indian
Army. Whole country feel proud on Vijay Kumar.Please justify with Vijay
Kumar who has proved himself and deserve for Commission Officer Rank
promotion.
Vijay, you made country proud by winning the Medal and Army made you proud by promoting and cash incentives.
well done.
Government of India can support the Winners of medals with jobs in Government of India organisation as per their qualifications, and support the sports persons.
Among the five medalist, Vijaya Kumar adds in the list for India's
pride. India is blessed to have a people like this. Those six leaders
has to initiate some measure to get more people into Olympics. I wish
all the best for Vijaya Kumar and to everyone who participated in the
Olympics.
Its quite unfortunate, people serving in the Army MUST ask for promotion, which is due, whereas certain people been awarded with Post and even been taken to security sensitive zones.
As a sharp shooter, Vijay need to be provided with more training and support, so he not just win medals, can also serve our nation with limited bullets when taking on our attackers.
Vijay, media is always there to play games, which they are good at...
It is really heartening to know that the present Chief of Army Staff was kind enough to make him Subedar Major & also promised to initiate the process of commissioning him into the Army ,which can be okayed by the Commander in Chief only ie the President of India !A great recognition of the Olympian!
yes vijay kumar has done a great job
Vijay should be made a complete major or above. If president need to be involved in
the process, a paper can be faxed and get his stamp back on the same day. his general must salute
Vijay for honoring the nation.
Yes, it is the real reward for a sportsman like Mr.vijay kumar.I personally congratulate him on his grand achievment in olympic .The Army Chief should deliberately make efforts to promote sports within army. Many vijay kumar still covered under uniform of army, only an attempt to uncover them is needed in India. May our system realise it soon !
"...he talks in English..." and so make him an officer? Well he probably deserves the
promotion, but not because of English.
Cricketers are decorated with Captain, Leiutinanent or colonel, but Olympic winners are made to be satisfied with officer, subedar et al. Irony!
Why only 30 Lakhs INR when others getting 1 Cr?
Glad to see the Army taking a gracious and benevolent view of the case and rewarding a hero. This view of the Army is in contrast to some narrow-minded views taken by officers within the army itself, who would (in old caste-based system fashion and racist tones) prefer this man to be where he is and castigate him for sounding seemingly rebellious. Shame on them for asking for his sacking and for asking him to leave - glad the Army is a better place than the petty thoughts of these black sheep make it out to be.
Vijay kumar had done a great job in keeping country's high spirits in olympics, & same deed have been provided to him by Army..as a promotion.. & a cash prize of 30 Lakh...well done vijay kumar..may god bestows all his blessing to you.
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