Squadron Leader Shashikumar Samuel Ram das has been working as the Engineering Officer of a testing unit since February 1966. He has also put in over 150 hours of flying. It was entirely due to his initiative, hard work and supervision that ground equipment was fabricated and servicing schedules were made out for a new type of aircraft in the unit. This in turn enabled the unit to continue flight tests, as a result of which recommendations for a substantial number of modifications and improvements could be made. He also carried out a close study of the ground equipment supplied by M/s. H. A.L. and made valuable recommendations regarding its re-design. It is because of his unfailing efforts that the ground equipment which will now go into service will be a vast improvement on the one initially supplied by the manufacturers. Squadron Leader Ramdas was also responsible for carrying out various systems assessments on the type. Here, he not only applied his knowledge as an engineering officer but also as a pilot, with the result that once again recommendations made by him when introduced will make servicing of the aircraft easier.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas displayed exceptional devotion to duty, initiative and professional skill.

Wing Commander Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas, (4930) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in April, 1955. During the Indo-Pak Conflict of December, 1971, he served as the Chief Technical Officer of an operational wing in the Western Sector.

Wing Commander Ramdas was responsible for providing technical services not only to the Wing but also two Care and Maintenance Units in the forward areas. He performed all his duties with high technical skill, ingenuity and initiative and cheerfully met all the demands in the most efficient manner.

During the operations he ensured that all the damaged aircraft coming from forward air bases, were repaired and serviced in record time. He personally supervised the servicing and ensured quick turn around of the aircraft.

Wing Commander Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas displayed initative, technical skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force, and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Air Commodore Sashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch of the IAF in April, 1955. During his service career, he served on numerous assignments in India and abroad with ineffable dedication. Air Commodore Ramdas is one of those few officers of Technical Branch who are qualified pilots and have earned their 'Wings'. He has flown over 1100 hours on various types of aircraft and always kept himself in current flying practice.

He has vast technical experience on variety of combat aircraft of Western and Soviet origin. Due to his high professional knowledge, he was specially accredited to induct contemporary aircraft weapon system viz. Hunter, Marut and Jaguar and was appointed to the selective post of Chief Technical Officer of Operational bases for a period exceeding eight years. He applied his profound knowledge immensely, in aviation, both as an aeronautical engineer and as an aviator in the successfully competition of vitally important flight trials at A&ATU on Marut, Kiran, Gnat and Hunter aircraft for which he was awarded Vayu Seva Medal in Jan 70. For his involvement, ingenuity, technical acumen and initiative to meet the war requirements, during Indo-Pak conflict, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1971.

As Deputy Air Advisor in High Commission of India in London, he sorted out a number of maintenance problems by working in close cooperation with the manufacturers and RAF. In 1979, Air Cmde Ramdas was specially selected for induction of Jaguars in the IAF and sent for course to UK. Subsequently, as Chief Engineering Officer of the first Jaguar Base, he well utilized his par excellence professional experience and managerial competence to organize maintenance facilities in a time bound programme. Later as commander of a Base Repair Depot, he achieved the highest output of Kiran overhaul in 1981-82, for which the Depot was awarded the Best BRD Trophy, by HQ Maintenance Command.

Since August, 1982, Air Commodore Ramdas has been the Director of Engineering. His field experience and managerial skill have contributed a lot of smooth induction of the latest fighter aircraft and planning he overhaul facilities for them in India.

Air Commodore Sashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas VM VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Shashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas was commissioned on the 4th April, 1955. A graduate of the National Defence College, he has held a number of important field and staff appointments.

From 1976 to 1978, he served as the Chief Engineering Officer of a premier fighter base in the South Western Sector. Here, by meticulous planning and optimum exploitation of the limited resources, he ensured a very high state of serviceability of all aircraft and related systems. He was specially selected for training of Jaguar aircraft in the United Kingdom in 1979 and was closely associated with the successful induction of this high technology aircraft into the Indian Air Force.

In February 1986, he was appointed as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of an Operational Command. In this assignment, he brought about all round improvement in maintenance activities. He computerised the data and functioning of the Maintenance Control Centre at Command HQrs for increasing the quality and speed of decision making. He ensured strengthening of the infrastructure and qualitative improvements in the standard of maintenance and serviceability which enhanced the operational preparedness of the Command.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he was appointed as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at HQrs Maintenance Command. There, with his vast experience and expertise, he continued to make significant contribution for enhancing the production of various Base Repair Depots and, thus improved the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force.

The Air Officer was nominated to head a high-powered committee to examine all aspects relating to the operation and maintenance of Airbus-320 aircraft by the Indian Airlines. The report of the Committee bears ample testimony to the Air Officer's professionalism and analytical ability in evaluating complex technical and man-machine interface problems in high-technology aircraft. The Government has accepted the Committee's report and implementation of its recommendations would assist the Indian Airlines in ensuring safe and smooth induction of this most modern aircraft.

The Air Officer has since retired and taken over the prestigious appointment of the Chairman, Indian Air Lines.

Air Marshal Shashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas, AVSM, VM, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.