Major (Retired) Balwant Singh
I deeply mourn the sad demise of my most revered former Brigade Commander Lt. Gen. KK Singh,MVC under whom I had the privilege to serve both in Peace and War. Having been close to him whilst in service and also after my premature retirement , I had developed a profound personal attachment which spanned over four decades. Our lives will now be empty in places his energy, dynamism, and professional competence once filled . A poet once analysed this void in his own manner, which also truly applies to the late General:
” Each leader’s death diminishes me because I am a part of this great organisation”
The passing away of the late General KK Singh is a great personal loss to me because of my closeness to him. I saw him as a great military leader who not only led magnificently, but inspired us greatly exemplified by personal precept and taught by passing his vast reservoir of knowledge and erudition simply and clearly. His respect in the eyes of others stemmed from his observance of a code of conduct and honour far above the reach of the multitude.
His was a life that exemplified kindness, a life that inspired emulation, a life that burned so that the path for others was lighted. As a respected commander and military leader, he contributed in innumerable ways to the advancement of military careers and in the personal lives of his associates and humbler comrades in arms. For those of us fortunate enough to have worked with him, we saw these traits and behaviour in his life and work.
He led by personal example rather than by definition. He never demanded a commitment unless he himself had shown a superior commitment . Those who knew him at some time or the other , aspired to emulate the extraordinary qualities of the great General.
He has left a void we cannot fill. We resolve to cherish his memory and on behalf of all of us who were privileged to have known or worked with the late Lt Gen. KK Singh, MVC. I, in a final salute and tribute, will like to quote a few lines from Shake
” Now boast thee, Death, in thy possession lies a soldier unparalleled”
Himmat-i-Mardan Madad-i- Khuda
(Major Balwant Singh is a veteran from the Skinners Horse)
