Three peoples take charge of the new office on the last day of 2016

New Delhi: Gen Bipin Rawat today took over the reins of 1 point 3 million-strong Indian Army after the retirement of General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who hanged up his boots after serving the Army spanning over four decades.

Gen Suhag formally handed over the baton to General Rawat in a ceremony held at South Block here.General Rawat took over as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff.

Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, whose seniority was overlooked while appointing Gen Rawat as the new Chief, made a phone call to congratulate him for assuming the charge.Lt Gen Bakshi also scotched all the speculations over his resignation, saying that he would continue to lead the Command with full sincerity.

Ex home secy Anil Baijal takes oath as LG of Delhi

Former Home Secretary,Anil Baijal today took oath as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in the presence of state High Court Justice G Rohini and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at an oath taking ceremony held here at the Raj Niwas.Mr Baijal, a 1969 batch IAS officer who had served as Union Home Secretary, under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was administered the oath of office as the 20th LG of Delhi by Justice Rohini.

A host of dignitaries which included bureaucrats, Cabinet colleague of Mr Kejriwal and other officials attended the ceremony.President, Pranab Mukherjee had earlier cleared his name following a recommendation made by the Home Ministry after Najeeb Jung tendered his resignation.Mr Baijal had retired from service in 2006 as Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development.

Sasikala takes over as AIADMK Gen Secy, makes emotional address

Ms V K Sasikala, long time close aide of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today assumed charge as the General Secretary of the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.Ms Sasikala, who left her Poes Garden residence around noon, came to the AIADMK headquarters office and formally assumed charge.

Soon after her arrival, she garlanded the statue of AIADMK Founder MGR at the party headquarters and paid floral tributes to a decorated portrait of Ms Jayalalithaa.Later, she signed the office book and formally took charge as the General Secretary.

After receiving greetings from scores of party cadres and senior leaders including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, his Cabinet colleagues, MPs, including Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, MLAs and former Ministers, Ms Sasikala addressed the party workers. (UNI)