New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted a farewell reception for outgoing Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on October 26, praising his leadership and contribution to strengthening the force’s operational capabilities, including during Operation Sindoor.
The Defence Minister and his wife, Sarita Singh, were presented with a framed picture of the Golden Temple as a parting gift, according to photographs shared by the Ministry of Defence on Friday, October 30.
The farewell took place ahead of AP Singh’s scheduled superannuation on October 31. The ministry said Rajnath Singh acknowledged the outgoing Air Chief’s exemplary leadership, valuable contributions to the IAF and stewardship during Operation Sindoor. He also wished him well for his future endeavours.
Top Military Leadership Attends Farewell
The reception was attended by senior military commanders and top officials of the Defence Ministry.
Those present included Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Navy Chief Admiral K Swaminathan and Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Defence Production Sanjeev Kumar and Secretary of Ex-servicemen Welfare Sukriti Likhi were also among the attendees.
The ministry described the reception as a warm and befitting farewell to the outgoing IAF chief.
AP Singh’s Traditional Golfing-Out Cancelled
The farewell reception comes amid attention over the cancellation of the customary informal golfing-out event planned for AP Singh.
The Air Force Sports Complex on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi was closed to members from October 28 until further notice. The shutdown followed steps by the Land and Development Office (L&DO), under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to reclaim the land.
The complex includes a golf course and other sports facilities. The closure led to the cancellation of the planned farewell golf outing for the outgoing Air Chief.
A golfing-out is an informal military tradition in which fellow officers join an outgoing service chief for a farewell round of golf. It is separate from the formal ceremonies organised by the armed forces.
The closure has drawn attention because of its timing, just days before AP Singh’s retirement. However, the government’s land-reclamation exercise and the cancellation of the golf event should be seen as distinct from the Defence Minister’s formal farewell reception.
When Will AP Singh Retire?
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is scheduled to retire on October 31 after serving as Chief of the Air Staff. The IAF is also scheduled to hold a ceremonial guard of honour for him on his final day in office.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is set to take over as the next Chief of the Air Staff on November 1.
The outgoing chief’s farewell events include formal military functions, while the cancelled golfing-out was an additional informal tradition.
