Meet General Bikram Singh, the New Army Chief

Bangalore: There are many things to talk about General Bikram Singh, the new army chief of India who succeeded General V. K. Singh on May 31, 2012.  The awards and medals which include Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal are not just the decorations that qualify Bikram Singh for heading the world's second largest army. The 59-year-old General has proven so far through his career that he has got all the qualities in him that makes him an admirable and responsible General.

Let us start from the turning point of his life. During his young days, Bikram Singh who was an excellent student of Zoology and Biology thought of becoming a doctor. The wars of 1962 and 1965 brought a radical change in his mind set and he joined the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla in 1968.

 It was on March 31, 1972, the General was commissioned in to the Sikh Light Infantry (SIKHLI) Regiment which is an elite Regiment of the Indian Army. General Bikram Sing is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy and the Indian Military Academy. He has also attended the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The General’s colleagues at the Indian Military Academy, where he held the appointment of Battalion Cadet Adjutant remember him as a very bright cadet. As a result of his smart military tactics, military strategy and operational art he was awarded the J&K Rifles Gold Medal for 'Tactics and Leadership' and the 'Shriganesh Trophy' at the IMA. During his Young Officer's Course at the Infantry School he was regarded as being the 'Best Young Officer' and also got the prestigious 'Commando Dagger' award for being the best commando. He is affectionately called as 'Bikki' to his friends.