Air Commodore Arjan Singh Mangharam Bhawnani (1868) was commissioned as a pilot in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force in April 1942. He served with distinction as Chief of Fighter Operations in the Congo from August 1961 to August 1962 and subsequently commanded an operational station in the Eastern Sector. He was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff for his work during the Chinese aggression. Later, Air Commodore Bhawnani commanded a Tactical Air Centre, a Jet Training Wing and an Air Defence Area Headquarters.

Air Commodore Bhawnani is at present the Senior Air and Administrative Staff Officer at a Command Headquarters. During his tenure, a major reorganization of the Command took place which necessitated the closing down of a number of units and the forming of new units. Stock transfers of considerable magnitude had to be completed without disrupting supply. The Command was faced with many administrative, accounting and personnel problems. These problems were further accentuated by the geographical vastness of the Command with units located in all parts of the country. With painstaking effort, initiative and exceptional devotion to duty, Air Commodore Bhawnani has successfully tackled these complex tasks.

Air Commodore Arjan Singh Mangharam Bhawnani has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.