GEN.V.K SINGH RETIRED
Army
Chief General V.K. Singh, who guided the destiny of over the one-million-strong
Indian Army for the past 26 months, Retired on Thursday,31st
May,2012, leaving behind a tenure which witnessed a row over his age and
controversy over charges of bribery and corruption in defence deals.General
Singh, who became the 26 Chief of Staff of the Army on March 31, 2010, has made
it his life's goal to spruce up the image of the Army. General Singh (62), a
third generation officer, was commissioned into the Rajput regiment on June 14,
1970.He succeeded by Eastern Army Commander General Bikram Singh, who will have
a tenure of two years and three months. He will be the fifth GOC-in-C from the
Eastern Command to become the Army Chief after P.P. Kumaramangalam, S.H.F.J.
Maneckshaw, V.N. Sharma and Gen. Singh.
Considered
an upright and honest officer, General Singh, as Army Chief, laid down the
roadmap to transform the Army into a lean and mean fighting force.He had also
flagged concerns over the shortage of arms and ammunition and impressed on the
government the urgent need for immediate steps to shore up purchases.His tenure
saw the rare step of a serving Army Chief taking the government to the Supreme
Court, seeking a change in his date of birth in official records. The legal
battle ended with the Supreme Court not accepting his contention that 1951 was
his year of birth.In a recent interview to The Hindu, General Singh
hit the headlines by alleging that he was offered a bribe of Rs. 14 crore in
2010 by retired Lt.-Gen. Tejinder Singh for clearing a deal for procuring
“substandard” Tatra trucks. His allegation also rocked the Budget Session of
Parliament.
Gen.
Singh's confidential letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reportedly
highlighting critical issue of shortages and deficiencies in the Army, appeared
in the media stirring yet another unsavoury controversy.In his latest move,
General V. K. Singh has issued a show cause notice to 3 Corps commander, Lt.
Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag, in line after General Bikram Singh to become Army
Chief, for a botched-up intelligence operation in Jorhat, Assam.Lt. General
Suhag, who has been placed under a discipline and vigilance ban, is facing the
prospect of not being promoted as Army Commander, a mandatory requirement for
him for elevation to the post of Army Chief in 2014, if the Defence Ministry
accepts the outgoing Army Chief's decision.
VK
Singh will be remembered for his efforts to cleanse the Army during his tenure
and make it an efficient force. It is incorrect to say the Supreme Court
refused to accept his year of birth as 1951. The court did not directly address
the issue. It felt that since 1950 was accepted as his year of birth for so
long, there was no reason to change it. The new chief will have his hands full
if he intends to continue the good work initiated by Singh.General VK Singh is
a man of honor and courage. He has made corruption in army deals a major issue
which until now remained hidden from public view. Gen. V.K.Singh will be
remembered as a soldier who did great service to Indian Army and thus India. He
is upright, fearless and did not sign on the dotted line as desired by our well
heeled burocrats.He will be remembered as a fine soldier who did not bother
about career but cared more for this country and the people under him. Hope his
followeres will work to complete the tasks he had initiated.
Prof.
John Kurakar
1 comment:
....It is easy to fool the gullible civilians who do not know anything about the DOB issue.every one knows that 10th class certificate is basis of DOB and his DOB is 1951 in that.Period.For promotion to Major Gen and Lt Gen no DOB is required but ur merit. This issue was started by Gen JJ Singh to ensure that his favorites get to the chair of army chief.It was called Op moses as it contained a ten point agenda.Gen Bikram singh is a great man too but he may feel obliged to the govt is the only worry
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