7 years ago
New Delhi:
Indian Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh, nation's oldest serving military officer is being accorded a state funeral today at Brar Square in New Delhi. The national flag is flying at half-mast at all government buildings in Delhi in the honour of the 98-year-old military legend. Arjan Singh, hero of 1965 India-Pakistan war, was the only Air Force officer to be promoted to five-star rank. His family has also planned a ritual for the funeral. Arjan Singh died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday.
Here are the live updates for the state funeral of IAF Marshal Arjan Singh:
Watch the entire ceremony here:
End of an Era- Last salute to the legend. Live coverage of Last Rites of the #Marshal of the Indian Air Force.https://t.co/8lsqwteARB pic.twitter.com/p1WGFF9LLQ
- Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 18, 2017
Arjan Singh cremated with full state honours. Military band plays farewell tune as the entire nation bids goodbye to the Air force veteran.
Sukhoi fighter jets fly past in the missing man formation in honour of the Indian Air Force's only Marshal Arjan Singh.
Fly past held, tributes being paid at last rites ceremony of Marshal of the Air Force #ArjanSingh at Delhi's Brar Square. pic.twitter.com/fIYWf15TyM
- ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2017
Choppers fly past the Brar Square for the state funeral ceremony. They are carrying the flags of the Indian Air Force.
Honour of 17-gun salute accorded to military veteran Arjan Singh
Last rites ceremony of Arjan Singh, India's oldest serving officer, begins at Brar Square. Defence Minister Namrata Sitharaman, Former PM Manmohan Singh follow the air force officers carrying the casket.
The National Flag lifted from the casket, folded.
Veteran BJP leaders present at the ceremony along with many former Air Force officers. Mr Advani is standing right next to former PM Manmohan Singh, as a Sikh priest reads a prayer as part of his last rites ceremony.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the demise of Arjan Singh, in a tweet. Ms Banerjee said: "Saddened at the passing of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. One of India's greatest of all time. Condolences to his family & IAF family(sic)" read her tweet.
BJP President Amit Shah pays respects to Arjan in a post on Twitter: "Pained by the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. I express my deepest condolences to his family and friends," Mr Shah wrote on Twitter.
Pained by the sad demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh ji. I express my deepest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/kaliY3HBlU
- Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 16, 2017
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lays wreath and pays tributes to Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh, at his last rites ceremony.
Delhi: Former PM Manmohan Singh lays wreath & pays tributes to Marshal of Air Force #ArjanSingh, at his last rites ceremony. pic.twitter.com/3ey5OXvy7Y
- ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2017
The Shipping Corporation of India, in a tweet, pay respects "to the departed soul of 'Marshal of the Indian Air Force' Arjan Singh, the first 'Five Star' rank officer" of the Indian Air Force.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pays respects to Marshal of Air Force Arjan Singh.
Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lays wreath & pays tributes to Marshal of Air Force #ArjanSingh, at his last rites ceremony. pic.twitter.com/BaF9lFotTJ
- ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2017
Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat pays respects to Arjan Singh's mortal remains, India's only only Air Force officer to be promoted to five-star rank.
Several Indian Air force officers carry the mortal remains of Arjan Singh. His body is kept in a casket on platform on a bed of flowers.
A 17-gun salute will be accorded to Arjan Singh shortly.
The ceremony is being attended by Current Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Indian Army chief and the Naval Admiral.
Mortal remains of Arjan Singh, India's first Air Marshal, arrive at Brar Square.
Military band plays as Arjan Singh's gun carriage draws close to Brar Square. It had left from his house a while back.
The fly past will be carried out in missing man formation today in honour of Arjan Singh demise. This kind of aerial salute is carried out in remembrance of a fallen pilot.
Mortal remains of Arjan Singh to arrive at Brar Square shortly.
#Visuals from Delhi's Brar Square where last rites ceremony of Marshal of Air Force #ArjanSingh will be performed. pic.twitter.com/aOTHNk9ZwX
- ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2017
PM @narendramodi wrote for Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in the condolence book at the latter's residence pic.twitter.com/hTS2d68Gvw
- Aviator Anil Chopra (@Chopsyturvey) September 18, 2017
An icon, A philanthropist, A Legend - Some of the many things Arjan Singh will be remembered for
In 1965, Arjan Singh had led a young Air Force into the war against Pakistan when he was 45
Last year, he received the rare honour to have a crucial Air Force base at Panagarh in West Bengal named after him. Military installations aren't generally named after individuals, especially when they are alive
Arjan Singh kept his flying category even while he was the Chief of Air Staff, informed the current Indian Air Force Chief.
He was conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force in the year 2002
In 1965, Arjan Singh had led a young Air Force into the war against Pakistan when he was 45
Last year, he received the rare honour to have a crucial Air Force base at Panagarh in West Bengal named after him. Military installations aren't generally named after individuals, especially when they are alive
Arjan Singh kept his flying category even while he was the Chief of Air Staff, informed the current Indian Air Force Chief.
He was conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force in the year 2002
Arjan Singh Man of many titles: Former Air Chief Marshal
"He would have completed 50 years of retirement in two years. He was the epitome of military protocol," says Former Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis.
"He is a national hero," added the Former Air Chief Marshal from the Brar Square.
"He would have completed 50 years of retirement in two years. He was the epitome of military protocol," says Former Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis.
"He is a national hero," added the Former Air Chief Marshal from the Brar Square.
Gun carriage heads towards to Brar Square Arjan Singh's state funeral
The entire nation, including President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent messages of condolence for Arjan Singh.
"Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community," President Kovind tweeted.
PM Modi had said: "India will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action."
He added: "Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh's determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities."
The Defence Minister visited the veteran's house
"Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community," President Kovind tweeted.
PM Modi had said: "India will never forget the excellent leadership of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action."
He added: "Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh's determined focus on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to our defence capabilities."
The Defence Minister visited the veteran's house
India mourns the loss of the greatest air warrior in its history. Smt @nsitharaman pays homage to the Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh pic.twitter.com/4Yf6izVYNO
- Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) September 17, 2017
Arjan Singh's mortal remains will be taken from his home to the funeral site in Delhi Cantonment in a gun carriage procession, a journey of 8 km.
