India's First Sikh Army Chief

General Joginder Jaswant Singh, a hero of anti-terrorist operations, became the first ever Sikh officer to don the chief of the army staff.

Can't believe it, isn't it? But yes, it is true. Though Sikhs, as an ethnic group, are the single largest chunk in the army at about 10 per cent of the million-strong force JJ is the first sikh to become the Chief of Army Staff.

Ironically, many believe that India is getting a Sikh four-star general 37 years too late, after Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh, GOC, Western Command, 1968, was overlooked by the then political leadership. Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister had picked Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) Sam H F J Manekshaw, who later led the Indian Army to its finest victory yet over Pakistan in 1971.

Hope JJ will take the forces to greater heights like his predecesor.

The outgoing Chief of Army Staff General Nirmal Chander Vij had achieved a lot in a short span of 2 years. His relentless efforts have proved successful. He pushed the army to complete fencing work along the 740 km LoC, a task that was achieved in 2004. With great efforts from Gen Vij, 6,000 Kashmiri men joined the Indian Army, the first ever Kashmiri regiment was introduced. He brought near normalcy to J&K. In honor of Vij, the army band played a new tune "Gen Nirmal" in 2004 "Beating the Retreat" after the Republic day celebrations.

Hope JJ will bring back total peace to Kashmir and make it a heaven on earth once again. I wish him all the best and Pray God to give him enough strength and resolve to achieve it.

- Murali