Mandira Bedi gets candid about Marshal of the Indian Air Force and uncle Arjan Singh's romantic side

Indian actress, fashion designer, model and television presenter Mandira Bedi made a fresh revelation about the Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh.

“He was a great listener,” said actress Mandira Bedi, niece of Marshal of Indian Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh, on Monday, while sharing her memories with the latter.

“My greatest memory of him was that he's a great listener; he used to listen. He had so many achievements, but he never spoke about anyone. Rather what he would do is he will be interested in your life. So, he asked me the smallest things about my work, my son, my family and more,” she told ANI, after the last rights ceremony of the Marshal of IAF, here at Brar Square.

Actor remembers meeting him, on her Delhi visits. She was quoted saying by HT: "Every time I used to come down to Delhi for more than a day, I always used to visit him. Even at the age of 98, he was such a great conversationalist, he spoke so well, so correct and coherent. He defied age in every way. If one looks back at his life, he has lived such a full life, so distinguished and respectable. I feel privileged that I am a part of his family."

Mandira reached Delhi, early morning on Sunday. While recalling the tales from the past Mandira said, “My masi and him shared the most beautiful and loving relationship. Not a day would go by, without them saying ‘I love you’ to each other.”

Mandira, who reached Delhi, early morning on Sunday, further stated, “He lived a very beautiful and distinguished life. The farewell that he got, the way the Air Force took it over, shows how well loved, admired and respected he always was, and rather he is. One looks back at the life so well lived...yes it is a loss.”

She also took to Twitter on September 16 to share her grief and posted, “Marshall of the Air Force, #ArjanSingh , my uncle, passed away this evening. A true officer and a gentleman. Will miss him dearly. #RIP"

A fly-past of Sukhoi-30 fighters and a 17-gun salute for Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh were held at his last rites ceremony at Delhi's Brar Square on Monday.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday stated that along with a state funeral and an appropriate gun salute, a fly-past may take place, depending on the weather conditions, to honour the contribution of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

The funeral ceremony of Arjan Singh took place in the national capital with tribute paid to the five-star rank Air Force officer with full state honours.

The national flag was flown at half-mast at all government buildings in Delhi today as a mark of tribute to Arjan Singh.

Arjan Singh's body, wrapped in the flag, was taken from his home to the Delhi Cantonment in a gun carriage at the funeral site.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the chiefs of the Air Force, the Army and the Navy paid tribute at the last rites ceremony.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former Army chief Dalbir Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani also paid their last respects.

IAF Chief B.S. Dhanoa and Chief of Naval staff Sunil Lanba also paid tribute to the war hero.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the residence of Arjan Singh to express his condolences to the family.

The whole nation mourned the death of India's pride, who breathed his last on Saturday.

He was admitted to Army's Research and Referral hospital on Saturday morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

In praise of Arjan Singh, defence experts said that very few can equal him in stature and his contribution to the cause of the defence force as well as the country.

-With ANI inputs.