Wing Commander Jayaram Nilkanth Jatar has been commanding a squadron since August 1967. His zeal and untiring efforts has led to an increase in the monthly flying hours and a substantial reduction in the accident/ incident rate. The Squadron has also won the Command Gunnery Trophy for 1969. During his command, the Squadron was called upon to operate a number of detachments. He successfully met these commitments. He has also successfully devised a light weight starting system to enhance the squadron's mobility besides ways to improve the serviceability of the ground equipment. He was the top scorer during 1969 Command Gunnery Meet. Once when one aircraft had force landed at a landing ground and its retrieval became a problem due to the surrounding obstructions and the uneven surface of the runway area he, with his exceptional airmanship, was able to execute a take-off and bring the aircraft safely to the base.

Throughout, Wing Commander Jayaram Nilkanth Jatar displayed courage, devotion to duty and exceptional airmanship.

Air Commodore Jayaram Nilkanth Jatar was in command of a Fighter Wing of the Air Force which has heavy flying activity throughout the year. From the day of assuming command, he devoted himself to the work of enhancing the operational potential of his base. During his tenure, a new Weapon was introduced whose lethality necessitated the defining of operating methods for causing the maximum damage to an enemy, without compromising the safety of our own forces. He examined all the intricacies of the problem and was solely responsible for the formulation of an operating procedure for the employment of this new Weapons System which has now been accepted as a Standard Operating Procedure. He also readjusted the available resources and fabricated a fail safe MF communication system. This facility provides a standby method to cater for the worst case of total failure of other communications.

Environmental peculiarities of his base required time control over Technical and Flying activities for safe flying. He adhered to and achieved the highest, standards of flying and maintenance discipline. His dedicated involvement has enhanced safety consciousness in Air and Ground Crew which has led to an effective flight safety programme, reduction in the rate of accidents and in avoidance of wastage of valuable fighting equipment. He was also able to achieve a formidable flying task of 8993 hours on fighters without a single accident. It is to his great credit that he reduced the station accident rate from 15 to zero.

Air Commodore Jayaram Nilkanth Jatar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.