Making way for tomorrow’s heroes At his last parade review of the 122nd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), outgoing army chief General VK Singh steered clear of controversy while not revealing his post-retirement plans

Making way for tomorrow’s heroes

At his last parade review of the 122nd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), outgoing army chief General VK Singh steered clear of controversy while not revealing his post-retirement plans

On the eve of his retirement as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General VK Singh said he would like to be remembered as “a soldier who did his best to uphold what the Army stands for.” Singh was speaking to the media in Pune on Wednesday, after reviewing the passing out parade of the 122nd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla. “As an army chief, I had set targets of making the Indian Army more agile and to change the mindset of the men. This transformation would take around 15-20 years for completion, and I am happy to say, the work for the same has already started,” he said. Singh refused to comment on the issue of the United Nations report on the conduct of the Indian Army in Congo in 2007, saying it comes under the preview of the ministry of external affairs and it would be wrong on his part to comment. Steering clear of controversy, general Singh stated that his relation with the Union defence minister was good and there was “no misunderstanding between us”. When asked about the challenges before the armed forces, he said that transformation of the mindset is a major challenge before the army. “We need to modernise our armed forces and all the relevant steps have to be taken,” the general said. Commenting on the recent move by former lieutenant general Tejinder Singh to lodge a formal complaint with the defence minister asking the latter to take action against him, the general said, “Those who know Tejinder Singh, know the depths he can slide you. He is welcome to do what he wants to and I won’t be perturbed by it,” he said. When asked about his post-retirement plans, Singh played his cards close to his chest and said, “I would only think about my post-retirement plans after June 1.” He also did not give any indications about his plans to join veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare and Team Anna to fight corruption in the country. “It’s the duty of every Indian to fight against corruption and I would be doing so,” he said. While addressing the cadets earlier, Singh exhorted them to put their duty toward the nation before anything else.