PM Modi visits India's Only Five Star Marshal Arjan Singh in Army Hospital

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday rushed to visit Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh at Research and Referral Hospital here, who is critically ill and hospitalised. Arjan Singh is the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal, to which he was promoted in 2002.

Expressing his concern, Prime Minister Modi tweeted,"Went to R&R Hospital to see Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, who is critically ill. I also met his family members."

In his second tweet, Prime Minister Modi said, "We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Doctors are doing their best".

Arjan Singh was admitted in the hospital earlier today, following a cardiac arrest. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also visited him at the Delhi hospital.

Speaking to the reporters, the Defence Minister said, "I received messages that Marshal of IAF was suspected to have a massive heart attack in morning and was brought to hospital. His condition remains critical and is under intensive care. We hope that he recovers at the earliest".

The Marshal has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the war. The Marshal has flown over 60 aircrafts and remained a flyer until the end of his career with the IAF.

Five-star Marshal Arjan Singh retired in August 1969. In 2016, the crucial air base at Panagarh Air Force Station was renamed after the Marshal. Panagarh is also the headquarters of the newly raised 17 Crops - Mountain Strike Corps.