Lt. Gen. Bhopinder Singh serves as the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He is a PVSM awardee Indian Army officer. He was born on 20th March 1946, in Allahabad, to Brigadier Rajmohan Singh (Retired). Bhopinder Singh was also given additional charge of Puducherry in the wake of Lieutenant Governor Mukut Mithi`s resignation. Chief Justice of the Union Territory of Puducherry D Krishnaraja administered the oath to Singh at a ceremony held at Raj Nivas.
Professional Life of Bhopinder Singh
In the year 1965, this ex-alumnus of National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh was commissioned into the famous Rajput Regiment. He has held number of Command, Staff and Instructional engagements over 36 years during his career spanning. He has also been an Instructor at the Indian Military Academy. He has had General Staff reigns at Kargil and Kashmir Valley. Late Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE raised the battalion and the 17 Rajputs battalion was commanded by him. Afterwards, Singh commanded the Rajput Regimental Centre at Fatehgarh (Utter Pradesh).
At Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Liutenant General Bhopinder Singh was the Military, Naval and also the Air Attache. He was made the Additional Director General of Organisation (AG`s Branch) as Major General at Army Headquarters and later in the year 1997, took over as Military Secretary to the President. Singh is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the overall training policies of the entire Indian Army. He also played an instrumental role in establishing the Management of the training and educational institutions. Bhopinder Singh is also responsible for intra-service joint trainings with Air Force and Navy besides co-ordination with foreign Defence Forces
Liutenant General Bhopinder Singh was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry on March 13, 2008, after the resignation of Mukut Mithi. Bhopinder Singh replaced him and was sworn in on 15th March 2008.
Awards of Bhopinder Singh
Bhopinder Singh was conferred several Awards-
* PVSM: Highest Military Award for Distinguished service of the most exceptional order
* AVSM: Second Highest Award for Distinguished service of an exceptional order
* Army Commanders Commendation: Distinguished service as Commandant of a Military Institution
* Ethiopian Govt Commendation Certificate: Certificate in recognition of enhancing and fostering close bi-lateral relations between the two countries
The areas of interest for Bhopinder Singh are the matters related with Defence, Security, Polity and Geo-Strategic Affairs. He has also an avid interest in Sports and outdoor adventure activities.
Personal Life of Bhopinder Singh
He is married to Bhawanee Singh. Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh, the Military Secretary to the Indian President in March 2002, took over as Colonel of the Rajput Regiment. He has also held post of the Colonel of the President`s Bodyguard. It is a unique honour for being Colonel of 2 renowned Regiments of the Indian Army.
