Lt Gen Singh honoured to be next army chief

Kolkata, Jan 22 (ANI): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) designate, Lt General V K Singh today said that he is honour to lead the Indian Army.

"I am grateful for this honor and the responsibility which our leaders have bestowed on me," Lt General Singh said.

"I shall carry out my duties well to lead one of the world's finest Army. It will be my endeavor to lead the brave men while keeping up with the best tradition of the Indian Army and upholding the Indian Constitution," he added.

Lt. General Singh, will succeed Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor and assume the office on March 31 2010.

Lt. General Singh was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment on June 14, 1970.

During his long and distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments.

He participated in the 1971 operations and IPKF operations. He is presently serving as the Eastern Army Commander. Prior to that, he commanded a Corps in the Western sector.

Besides being an 'Honours Graduate' of the US Army Infantry School, Georgia, USA, Lt Gen Singh studied at the Defence Services Staff College, the Army War College and the US Army War College, Carlisle.

He is recipient of PVSM, AVSM and YSM awards. He is also one of the Honorary ADCs of the President of India.

General Singh is married to Bharati Singh. The couple has two daughters. The elder daughter is married to an Army Officer while the younger one is working in the corporate sector. (ANI)