The passing away of the first and only Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh was the end— of not just an era—but an epoch. He was not only a great soldier but a gentleman to the core who every soldier is proud of. Though I did not have the privilege or honour to meet him in person, I read about his exploits and achievements. Moreover, since a few members of my family and friends were air warriors, they used to share stories about Marshal Singh passed on from seniors to juniors over the years during numerous informal get-togethers. He simply was a living legend.
What struck me most about his persona was when I watched him pay his last respects to another legend, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, two years ago. The scene was the technical area of Delhi’s Palam Airport where the coffin bearing the former president was laid for the Delhi’s elite to pay their respects. Marshal Singh walked—rather marched—with the help of an aide mustering all the strength his 96-year old body could. At the coffin he stood—in full uniform adorned with all the medals—placed the wreath and saluted as smartly as perhaps when he was first commissioned over seven decades ago. It’s the spirit, the grit and the victory of mind over body. That inspiring moment is forever etched in my mind.
Speaking of respect, it was gratifying to see PM Narendra Modi visit the Army Research & Referral Hospital to enquire upon the Marshals’s health hours before the latter passed away. While some see this cynically as a public relations exercise, I believe it is the right thing to do. It raises the morale of not only soldiers but everyone.A few years ago when Field Marshal S H F J Mankeshaw passed away, many leaders and ranking officers did not have the courtesy to visit Sam Bahadur’s home or funeral. The disgusting behaviour infuriated me.
Soldiers, who guard our frontiers and keep us secure, need to be respected both in life and death. That’s the least a grateful nation can and must do. It tells everyone who serves in the Forces that the country cares for them, that theirs is not a job, but a service to keep the country secure that has not gone in vain. Not platitudes but sincere, deep from-the-heart gratitude honestly demonstrated. Else, our progeny won’t know what service and sacrifice mean. They would only see the men and women behind the smart uniforms as sartorial eye candies and not as real heroes. Every time a trainee fighter aircraft fly over my house in Secunderabad, I think of Marshal Singh, the original Top Gun, salute him and all those he inspired.