Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa hands baton to new COSC Gen Bipin Rawat

The outgoing Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa handed over the baton to the new Chairman COSC Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat in New Delhi on Friday. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh was also present during the event. The Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) comprises of the chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and the senior most member is appointed its chairperson. Gen Bipin Rawat is scheduled to retire on December 31, 2019.

READ | 'There is only victory or defeat in war,' says COAS Gen Bipin Rawat

New Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) Gen Bipin Rawat

The Chairman of COSC is tasked with ensuring synergy among the three services and evolve common strategy to deal with external security challenges facing the country. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had taken charge of Chairman of COSC from then Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on May 29. Gen Bipin Rawat had assumed charge as Chief of Army Staff on December 31, 2016. He has tremendous hands-on experience of serving in combat areas and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades. Before becoming Army Chief, he handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China and in the Northeast.

READ | Army Chief Gen Rawat explains: 'Clampdown', a facade by terrorists

Picture of Gen Bipin Rawat receiving the baton from Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh (L) with Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (C) presenting the baton to Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.

READ | 'Balakot reactivated very recently,' confirms COAS General Bipin Rawat

Gen Bipin Rawat: Priviledge to serve Punjab Regiment 

Army Chief General General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said it was a privilege for him to have got an opportunity to address personnel of the Punjab Regiment, the oldest regiment of the Indian Army. He was here for presenting President's colours to 29th and 30th battalions of the regiment. It had even taken part in overseas operations in the 19th century, an Army statement said. The Punjab Regiment was also a part of the UNs Peace Keeping Missions in Sri Lanka, Lebanon and Congo.

READ | Army Chief General Rawat visits Kedarnath with his wife, pictures here

President's colours

While Lieutenant Preetpal Singh received the President's colours on behalf of the 29th battalion of the regiment, Lieutenant Kishan Goraiya received it on behalf of 30th battalion from the Army chief. The President's colours comprise a flag of a specific design given to infantry battalions, which is a symbol that embodies the spirit of those who serve under them as a regiment, the statement said. The Punjab Regimental Centre was first raised at Loralai in 1915, subsequently moved to Multan in 1922, then to Meerut in 1929 and finally to its present location at Ramgarh in 1976, the statement said.