Pune, September 11: FOR Chief of Army Staff Gen J J Singh, Pune holds a special place in his heart and for all the right reasons at that. A student of National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Gen Singh even got married in Aundh. “My wife sported a nose ring from Kolhapur,” he said. The general was addressing a mammoth gathering of students and teachers during the platinum jubilee celebrations of the All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society’s Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School (SSPMS) on Tuesday.

And the general seems to have already made plans to rekindle his association with the city. Dropping oblique hints of settling down in Pune after he retires next month, Gen Singh announced his plans of conducting social service here. “I have a great affinity and love for the city known for its cultural elegance. After Belgaum, Pune is the place for me and I will do everything in my capacity for the city through social work,” he said.

In fact, on a lighter note, the General even switched to Marathi saying, “Mi aapla manoos ahe, mazhi baiko Punyachi ahe (I am your man and my wife is from Pune),” he said which drew a thunderous applause from the audience.

Referring to his passion for Maharashtrian sweets, Gen Singh said that he relished eating Srikhand and even admitted that he was fond of tamashas. “Once I had gone to attend a tamasha where some people commented Pagdiwala Pahuna bara distoy (The turban wearing guest looks good),” he said. He also shared his love for Marathi folk songs especially powadas. Keeping the audience in splits, the General added that he was always surrounded by Patils and had earned the moniker JJ Singh Patil.

Meanwhile, for head boy and NCC parade commander Shailesh Pol, it was a pleasent surprise, as the General gifted him a wrist watch with the words ‘Fight to win’ engraved on it. “The slogan on the watch will continue to inspire Shailesh and countless others to surge ahead in life through sheer hard work and bring laurels to the country,” he said.

Calling Pune the land of warriors and the citadel of the erstwhile Maratha kingdom, the general said that he owed his battlefield success to the valour and courage of Maratha soldiers from his regiment.

And spirits were high as Gen Singh handed over the silver statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gifted to him by the All India Shree Shivaji Memorial Society and asked to convert it into a rolling trophy to be given to the best house in the school every year. “India is the future superpower of the world and youth alone can lead it toward the zenith of glory,” he said.