Wing Commander PV Athawale was commissioned as an Engineer on 02 Jul 73. He is Flight Signaller and has served at Western Air Command Computer Centre.

The officer creditably discharged the responsibility as the first Commanding Officer of the Software Development Institute (SDI) since its Phase 1 inception in Jan 92. He undertook the initial setting up of the Institute, including professional direction in the acquisition of assets for software development, training of officers and airmen and successfully accomplishing Air HQ tasks for software development and upgrade with a handful of personnel. The significant achievements of the nascent Institute are chiefly due to the single minded dedication, long hours of work and professional leadership of the officer. The gains accrued by way of savings in cost and operational capability, from these achievements, are of significant measure and importance to Air Force.

The Officer was also the architect in planning the growth of the Institute from Phase 1 to the present Phase 2 in Nov 95, in order to meet the enhanced challenges in the field of software engineering being undertaken by SDI. Presently Wg Cdr Athawale as the Chief Software Engineer, is directing and guiding many on-line projects tasked by the Air HQ.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wg Cdr PV Athawale.

Air Vice Marshal Pramod Vasant Athawale VSM (13472) AE (L) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) branch of IAF on 02 Jul 73. Over the years he has distinguished himself with significant contribution in a wide variety of assignments like Aircraft & Systems maintenance and flight testing, Software development and project management. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1997.

The Air Officer has been one of the pioneers of software initiative in the IAF. From 1992 to 96, as the first Commanding Officer of Software Development Institute, he undertook a variety of software projects and laid a sound foundation for the in-house avionics software capability in IAF. During 2002-03, as the Chief Engineering Officer of the largest MiG-21 operating base, the officer brought in quiet assurance to the maintenance activity on the base. He streamlined processes bringing up execution and management synergy from a large group of maintenance personnel to improve safety and reliability with enhanced operational productivity.

As Principal Director Ground Electronics at Air HQ, the officer managed the largest set of Systems inventories. He put in exceptional efforts to progress various schemes especially worthy of mention are commissioning of ARSR, SRE and PAR radars; maintenance facilities for EW equipment and repair and overhaul of ST-68 radars.

Air Vice Marshal to his credit has had successful management of vital projects. During 1998-99, as Project Director, he steered the delayed 'Low Level Radar Networking' project to culmination and operationalised the system. More recently in 200506, as the Principal Director of Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) project he has guided the team, during design and prototyping phase through exceptionally sincere efforts, and placed the project on the envisaged roadmap. As Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Sigs & IT), currently he steers the challenging Networking and IT projects, besides overseeing the operational aspects of Communications and IT for the whole IAF.

Air Vice Marshal Pramod Vasant Athawale VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.