Air Marshal Arjan Singh
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Exactly with this aim MBA Rendezvous is presenting you series of motivational stories of successful Professionals who have carved a niche in their own way and have become icons of Management Fraternity.
Following above, you will read today success story of Air Marshal Arjan Singh :
Born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur, Punjab, Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh is the only Indian Air Force (IAF) officer to be promoted to five-star rank.
Arjan Singh was educated in Montgomery, which belongs to Pakistan now. In 1938, while Arjan Singh was still in college, he was selected for the Empire Pilot training course at the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), and in 1939, he was commissioned as a pilot officer.
In 1944, Arjan Singh led his squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign. During this time, he displayed great leadership skills, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on the spot.
Arjan Singh’s moment of pride came when was given the great honor of leading the fly-past of more than 100 IAF aircrafts over the red fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947.
Over the years, he was promoted to Wing Commander, Air Commodore and Air Vice Marshal. During this time, Arjan Singh displayed great commitment in his work. His efforts were sincere and honest, which is why his subordinates respected him.
Leaders need the support of subordinates to rise high in career. This is one lesson that we can learn from Arjan Singh. To become a great and a desirable leader, you should gain the respect of your subordinates. It was because of his dedication and hard work that in 1964, Arjan Singh become the Chief of Air Staff in the rank of Air Marshal.
Every leader is tested at different stages of his/her career. Arjan Singh’s crucial testing time came in 1965 when the Indian subcontinent was plunged into war.
When Pakistan declared the launch of Operation Grand Slam, Arjan Singh was called into the Defense Minister’s office, where he was requested to provide air support.
He promised the Defense Minister that he would get the forces ready in an hour and true to his word, he attacked the Pakistani forces in an hour.
Arjan Singh thwarted Ayub Khan’s plans to capture Kashmir by leading the Air Force with great valor and confidence.
Arjan Singh was awarded Padma Vibhushan for leading the Air Force to victory, in turn protecting the country’s interests. Given his significant contributions to the IAF and the country, he was once again promoted to the position of Air Chief Marshal.
In fact, Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the IAF. In 2002, Arjan Singh was awarded the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force by the Indian government, making him the first and the only five-star rank officer in the Indian Air Force.
After retiring from the Indian Air Force in 1969, Arjan Singh became an ambassador to Switzerland and a high commissioner to Kenya.
For Arjan Singh, age is just a number. Even after his retirement, he played an active role in the society. Arjan Singh is a great leader, who was ready to face any challenge.
A leader needs ardent supporters to be successful in his career and life, and this is what Arjan Singh has proven throughout his career. Apart from being a great leader, Arjan Singh is a man of his word, which is why people used to trust him and had confidence in him.
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