Outgoing Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh today assured the country that Indian Army is fully prepared to tackle any challenges be it external or internal. Speaking to media in New Delhi on his last day as Army Chief, General Singh said, he always believed that actions must be louder than words.
He thanked the Government for granting One Rank One Pension to the armed forces. General Singh expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister and the government for the full support and giving free hand in conduct of operations. He saluted martyrs who made supreme sacrifices in upholding honour of the nation. Earlier, General Singh inspected guard of honour.
Now Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat will take over as the new Chief of Army Staff. He has tremendous hands on experience of serving in combat areas, and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades. General Rawat has handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China, and in the North-East. He is known for his balanced approach towards soldiering, compassion, and connect with civil society.
Meanwhile Air Marshal B S Dhanoa also inspected the guard of honour and will take over as the next Air Force chief today. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in June 1978. He has served in various squadrons, and in the Intelligence Directorate of Air Headquarters.