Bikram Singh (general)
| General Bikram Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Allegiance |
 India |
| Service/branch |
 Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1972– 31 July 2014[1] |
| Rank |
 General |
| Unit | Sikh Light Infantry |
| Commands held |
 Eastern ArmyXV Corps Eastern Division in the Democratic Republic of Congo 10th Infantry Division Rashtriya Rifles Sector |
| Awards |
 Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal Uttam Yudh Seva Medal Sena Medal Legion of Merit |
| Spouse(s) | Surjeet Kaur |
General Bikram Singh , PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC [2] is a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army . Previously the head of the Eastern Command, he became the 25th[3] COAS succeeding General V. K. Singh, who retired on 31 July 2014.[4] He is the second Sikh to be COAS, the first having been General J. J. Singh.[5] He was also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) of the Indian armed forces.[6]
Military career
As a young student, the future chief had considered becoming a doctor. He was an exceptional student of Zoology and Biology. But the wars of 1962 and 1965 motivated him to join the NDA in 1968. When asked whether he ever regrets the choice made, Gen Bikram says, "If I were ever to be born again, I would only join the Indian army.
A graduate of the 40th course at the National Defence Academy,[7] Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry on 31 March 1972. He was adjudged the 'Best Young Officer' at the Young Officer's course at the Infantry School and was also awarded both the Commando Dagger for being the best commando and the 'Best in Tactics' trophy. He later was an instructor at the Commando and Weapons Wings of the Infantry School.[1]
After completing the Higher Command Course, he served his first tenure as a Director in the Military Operations (MO) Directorate. The tenure coincided with the Kargil War and he was the official spokesperson of the Army during that period. He went on to serve four important tenures at Army HQ: an additional tenure in the MO Directorate as the Deputy Director General, two tenures in the Perspective Planning Directorate, as the Deputy Director General of Perspective Planning (Strategy) and later, as the Additional Director General. He was posted back to the Army HQ as a Lieutenant General to serve as the Director General Staff Duties (DGSD) before taking over as Eastern Army Commander.[1]Colleagues remember him for being a 'soldier's soldier' for spending time and working hard with his troops on the ground.
He has held positions of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, XV Corps, GOC 10th Infantry Division, Commander of Rashtriya Rifles Sector and GOC of the Multi-National Eastern Division in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] He was wounded while posted as a Brigadier in Jammu & Kashmir, where he has spent much of his service.[8]
Retirement
Bikram Singh retired as Chief of Army Staff on 31 July 2014. He was succeeded by General Dalbir Singh.[9]
Awards and Decorations
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Family
Bikram Singh is married to Surjeet Kaur and the couple have two children.[10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Know your new army chief, General Bikram Singh". ndtv.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ↑ "Chief of the Army Staff". indianarmy.nic.in. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
- ↑ "Bikram Singh assumes charge as new Army chief". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag to take over as army chief today". New Delhi: First Post. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- ↑ "Lt General Bikram Singh to succeed Indian army chie". Express Tribune. PPI. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ↑ "General Bikram Singh takes over as most senior military chief". The Times of India. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- ↑ "Chiefs of Staff". National Defence Academy. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ↑ "I have shed my blood in Kashmir Valley: Army Chief". 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Will be the Next Chief of Army Staff". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ↑ "Bikram Singh assumes charge as new Army chief". The Times Of India. 31 May 2012.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bikram Singh. |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Vijay Kumar Singh |
Chief of Army Staff 2012–2014 |
Succeeded by Dalbir Singh |
| Preceded by Norman Anil Kumar Browne |
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee 2014 |
Succeeded by Arup Raha |
| Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army (1947–1955) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Chief of the Army Staff (1955–present) |
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(**Seconded from the British Army) | ||
