PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Governor of Arunachal Pradesh

General Joginder Jaswant Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), hails from a family which epitomises Tryst with the Olive Greens: a history, which spans three generations, pre and post independence. The roots of the family draw their steadfast determination, raw courage and groundings from the land of rugged mountains. The ancestors hail from village Marwah, in Doda District of Pir Panjal Ranges. Joginder Jaswant Singh was born on 17 Sep 1945, to Lieutenant Jaswant Singh Marwah and Rani Jaspal Kaur at Bahawalpur (Undivided India).

The General grew up in the Army environs, a life characterised by simplicity, deep bonding with peers and juniors keen interest in outdoor activities. He joined the National Defence Academy in Jan 1961. JJ Singh was commissioned into 9th Maratha Light Infantry on 02 Aug 1964.

He became the 22nd Chief of Army Staff and commanded the second largest Army of the world from 31 Jan 2005 - 30 Sept 2007. . In the last year of his service, he held the appointment of Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Armed forces of India in addition to being the Army Chief. During his tenure General JJ Singh, refined operational planning by co-opting the battle winning role of revolution in military affairs and provided focussed direction based on the ‘Doctrine of the Indian Army’ having earlier been its architect, while in command of the Army Training Command. His operational experience of over 12 years gave him the insight to develop and propound the philosophy of `Iron Fist in Velvet Gloves’ to successfully conduct the counter terrorist operations. He has done all the professional courses to include Defence Services Staff Course, Senior Command, Higher Command and National Defence College Courses. He has also had the privilege of being the first Indian Defence Attache in Algeria. He has the experience of commanding an elite Strike Corps during Exercise Poorna Vijay (Decisive Victory) and Operation Parakram. He was the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the prestigious Army Training Command and Western Army prior to his taking over as army Chief.

The General was appointed as Governor of the State of Arunachal Pradesh in Jan 2008 by Her Excellency the President of India and was sworn in on 27 Jan 2008. Arunachal Pradesh is strategically located in the North East of India, and has common borders with China, Myanmar and Bhutan.