Lance Naik Charan Singh (seated in centre) along with Indian Army personnel and family members. (Photo via special arrangement)
New Delhi: The Indian Army commemorated the 100th birthday of Lance Naik Charan Singh (retired), a remarkable milestone for a distinguished World War II veteran. Born on September 7, 1924, Singh enlisted in the Indian Army on August 26, 1942, at Ferozepur Cantonment.
During his 17-year tenure with the Army Service Corps, Singh’s wartime duties spanned from Singapore to Lahore and finally to Yol Cantonment in Himachal Pradesh. His exemplary service earned him the prestigious Burma Star, which is awarded to British and Commonwealth forces who served in the Burma Campaign in World War II, and the Indian Independence Medal.
Singh retired from his military career on May 17, 1959.
Charan Singh as a young Indian Army soldier. (Photo via special arrangement.)
Currently residing in Dekwala village, Ropar district, Punjab, Singh is surrounded by his six children – four sons and two daughters. A brigadier-led delegation joined the family celebration, underscoring the Army’s commitment to honouring its veterans.
This centennial celebration serves as a reminder that the relationship with the Indian military extends far beyond active duty.
On this occasion, the Indian Army stressed that its tradition of maintaining lifelong connections with veterans through welfare initiatives and community engagement reflects its core values of loyalty and camaraderie.
It said the commemoration of Singh’s 100th birthday not only honours his personal legacy but also symbolizes the enduring impact of all veterans on the Indian Army and society at large. It reinforces the axiom that once a soldier, always a soldier – forever part of the Indian Army family.
