New Delhi, March 15 : On the eve of 65th birthday of late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, the Indian Army on Tuesday dedicated a Chair of Excellence in his memory at the ted Service Institution of India. The formal announcement was made by Army Chief Gen MM Naravane at a solemn ceremony organised at the South Block. Gen Bipin Rawat Memorial Chair of Excellence will focus on the field of Jointness and Integration. The Chair of Excellence is a befitting tribute to the astute leadership and professionalism of the General. A cheque of Rs five lakh was handed over to Maj Gen BK Sharma (Retd), Director, USI which will be paid as honourarium to the nominated Chair of Excellence, the Army said. Vice Chief of Army Lt Gen Manoj Pande, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal BR Krishna and several other officials were present on the occasion. Late General Bipin Rawat, who served as India’s first CDS as well as the 27th Chief of Indian Army, was an outstanding professional and in the midst of steering one of the most radical transformations of the Indian military. The Army Chief recounted that General Rawat was passionate about strategic thoughts and invested considerable time and energy in the activities of various Think Tanks and therefore, his 65th birthday provided an opportune moment to reinforce the Services’ bond with their intellectual institutions. The Chair will be open to the Veterans of three Services and civilians having expertise in the field of National Security, the Army said. ASU RJ