Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Bikram Singh will be the next Chief of Staff of the 1.3 million-strong Indian Army. He will succeed General Vijay Kumar Singh, who retires on May 31.
The announcement by the Defence Ministry on Saturday came 90 days ahead of the scheduled day of assumption of charge — as against the 60-day norm the government has been following. The move removes uncertainty over the successor following a rash of speculative reports that Gen. Singh could put in his papers early which could alter the succession plan of the senior-most Army Commander taking over as the next Chief.
The appointment came a day after the incumbent Army Chief said he was not going to resign, effectively countering speculative reports by some television channels and dailies that Gen. Singh would resign after the Supreme Court disposed of his petition last month on the controversy over his year of birth.
Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment on March 31, 1972 and during the last four decades, he has served in a variety of Command and Staff appointments.
Besides having commanded a Corps in the Northern Command, he served as Deputy Force Commander of the multination U.N. Peace Keeping Mission in Congo. He also served as U.N. observer in Nicaragua and El Salvador during early 1990s.
Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh has studied with distinction at the Defence Services Staff College, the Army War College and the U.S. Army War College, Pennsylvania. He also has an M. Phil in Defence Management from Indore University. He is a recipient of the PVSM, the UYSM, the AVSM, the Sena Medal and the VSM and was one of the Honorary ADCs to the President of India.
Keywords: Army Chief, Lt Gen Bikram Singh
Our Army established its reputation even before our nation was free.
Netaji's Indian National Army was the best even then.
Our Jawans are the best in the world in terms of dedication and
professionalism.
But we need to modernize even more and keep abreast esp in view of
China's aggression.
Best Wishes for the new Chief.
My heartiest congratulations to Lt Gen Bikram Singh on his appointment as the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army.I wish him far more success in this new role.The Force is hoped to achieve greater professionalism under his exceptional leadership.
Congratulations General Bikram Singh. You have all the qualities by
virtue of your training and experience. I wish you the best of luck
in your pursuits and I am sure you will discharge your duties with the
class you have and leave no stones unturned in making our ARMY a force
to reckon with. God bless you and your family.
I salute General Bikram Singh who is a commoner and Son-in-law of a Kashmiri Sikh Family from Baramulla. Being a Kashmiri Sikh myself, I am proud of his acheivement and wish him good luck. All Kashmiri Sikh are proud of this selection to the hightest post any Sikh and bravery deserves.
Congratulations! Hope when required you will back the people and not the State sponsored terrorism which is unleashing its unthinking intelligence on the brave people fighting the crime of nuclear power(less) programmes throughout the country. And against GM food. Of what earthly use are the defence and intel services when instead of defending the country(the people) it becomes a turncoat like the present central government coveting nuclear and GM food and other sins against life itself?
we wish our countries army leader a great success throughout his upcoming carrier.. let the defence our country become much more stronger both in terms of machinaries and morality and man power. we want him to solve all kinds of problems in terms of peace...coz at the end of the day its the people of India who should be the winners and no one should get hurt...
Many Salute and heartiest congrtulations to the highly regarded and decorated Lt. Gen Singh elevation to the COAS. May he take the Indian Army to the much greater heights and admirably overcome the challenges on our western and eastern borders.
Jai Hind!
People of Pakistan would also like to congratulate the designate COAS of
India. They hope and pray that he will work to improve cordial relations
between Pakistan and India to the best of his abilities. Colossal amount
of money being spent for maintaining such large Armed Forces in both the
countries have deprived millions of people by denying scarce resources
from education, health and other social sectors. Better sense should
prevail on either side, so that people can live in peace and their
future generations can have a sigh of relief
a heartly congratulations to the next general of indian army.
With great power...great responsibilities also come...
All is well that ends well.Good that the Govt has remained steadfast in the thick of unnecessary controversy resulting from present Chief of Army Stff's action of raking up apparently a closed issue of his date of birth with his own express concurrence.The media played its role responsibly by balancced rporting particularly by News Papers of repute.Wishing all the best to COAS designate that he will break new ground by ensuring professionalism of highest order in the Army.
Congratulations Gen B Singh (PVSM, AVSM, SM)!!!!!! on being appointed the next COAS. I am sure that you will carry on the great legacy & values of the INDIAN ARMY to the next level. The entire defence setup will look up to you for support and infusion of new confidence in them.
Congratulations! Hope when required you will back the people and not the State sponsored terrorism which is unleashing its unthinking intelligence on the brave people fighting the crime of nuclear power(less) programmes throughout the country. And against GM food. Of what earthly use are the defence and intel services when instead of defending the country(the people) it becomes a turncoat like the present central government coveting nuclears and GM food and other sins against life itself?
welcome General Bikram Singh as chief of Indian army. We are so proud of
you. you have so many challenges from rogue army /ISI of Pakistan.
Indians are sure that you will meet these challenges with great courage
and bravery.
May God bless you.
O' Yes, India's future COAS , Lt Gen Bikram Singh ,is a young looking General even at 59 ! Hope he will do justice to the TOP Position ,as a 'Four Star General' to which he is going to be appointed on the 31st May (pm) ,2012. God bless him to serve the country to the best of his capability, dexterity,finesse & perception . Thank God the Govt of India finally decided the future COAS !
A proud day for all of us. A flawless leadership is expected from Gen Bikram Singh. All the best. Take Indian armed forces to a new level.
I congratulate Lt.Gen.Bikram Singh on his appointment as a Chief of the
Army Staff of Indian Army and wish him every success.
It appears that the authorities have made the correct decision in passing the mantle to a highly qualified and highly decorated general. That is how it should be with all government appointments. There should be no considerations other than merit, qualifications and ability to discharge the responsibility with utmost sincerity, integrity and honesty.
Wishing Lt Gen Bikram Singh decorated with PVSM AVSM UYSM SM and VSM a
very happy tenure as COAS. A lot of controversies in the recent times
have brought in an air of cofusion. Hopefully all the muck will be
settled soon.May the Indian Army reach dizzy hieghts during his tenure.
Congrats Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh. Your focus should on War Planning on our Eastern and Western Fronts, Moderenize our armed forces, train them rigorously and take care of them in the best way. Jai Hind.
As a proud Indian, I greet Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh on his appointment as
Chief of the great Indian Army. Under his leadership, let the country's defense become more stronger and let the army achieve lot more laurels
and add very many feathers on its cap.Warm greetings to all the brave army men!!
AUM.
Lt Gen Bikram Singh will take over as the Chief of the 1.3 million styrong Indian Army on 31March 2012 when the present hief would retire. May I take this opportunity to wish General Bikram Singh a happy tenure unmarred by avoidable controversies. He is a fine officer who have had his military education both in India and the United States.The family life of the Army Chief designate is a happy one. He is married to Ms Surjeet Kaur and the couple have two children.That makes the nucear family a happy family
Many months ago when an age related controversy was kicked off, alot of din was raised by the media and unrelated persons. Some anti-national elements even had speculated that gen Vijay Kumar Singh would get an extension and old Bikram would go home. On the contrary what has happened is that 31st May would be the D Day for General Bikram Singh to take over as the Chief. Today when the news broke there was subdued rejoicings.
Gen Bikram's camp kept celebrations subdued
Greetings to the decorated General (Lt.). As an INDIAN I wish him every best in his tenure, leading our Army. By the by, hope & wish his DOB is correct and he would not land his Office in trouble both with MoD & SC!
On behalf of my countrymen, i salute Lt.Gen Bikram Singh on his
appointment as chief of army staff of this great nation.Our military is
known for its discipline and bravery.
The fact that Indians have enjoyed absolute freedeom for well over 64
years since independence speak volumes about the discipline of our armed
forces.
jai hind
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