Corporal Suresh Chintalapati was on the posted strength of a Squadron located at Bhuj, Gujarat since 30 Mar 1999. On the morning of 26 Jan 2001, a devastating earthquake hit Bhuj where in a lot of buildings collapsed, trapped people within them. Immediately after the earthquake Cpl Suresh took the job of rescuing people trapped under the rubble. He rushed to Ashapura Apartment, a multistoried building in Shanti Nagar area of Bhuj, which had collapsed trapping many families of airmen and civilians. With make shift tools and bare hands, he made passage through a small opening in the rubble and risking his life rescued four children. Thereafter, he proceeded to the next building and tunneled through the rubble to pull out a small child the only surviving child of late Corporal Thapa. In another building nearby he rescued three civilians. Then he moved to Shiv Nagar apartments where many people were trapped in the debris. For the next four days, he worked in this apartment and helped in locating and rescuing about fourteen trapped persons. It was his initiative and sheer courage, which saw him repeatedly going under the debris to extricate trapped persons and all this when tremors were still being experienced. Due to his immense patience and indomitable will, four persons were extricated on 30 Jan 2001. His heroic efforts and never day die attitude resulted in rescue of 24 Air Force personnel and civilians.

Corporal Suresh displayed indomitable courage, grit and outmost commitment in saving precious human lives.

Corporal Sanjeev Kumar Arora is on the posted strength of a squadron located at Bhuj, Gujarat since 25 Oct 1999. A devastating earthquake struck Bhuj on 26 Jan 2001. Immediately after the earthquake Cpl SK Arora commenced rescue operations. Working day and night, almost non-stop and with great risk to his own life, he saved 14 precious lives over the next four days. On hearing voices from the rubble of Vaibhav Lakshmi Apartments in Shivnagar area that had come crashing down, he created a narrow passage by using only basic implements like crowbars and hacksaw and located two couples. Even as after-shocks continued and parts of wrecked building continued to fall down, Cpl Arora worked continuously for long hours unmindful of his own safety and pulled out Sgt Tripathi SS, his wife, Sgt Roy Chaudhary and his wife. On their information he continued digging and at late night, pulled out a small girl child followed by her father. Cpl Arora continued to work on the same site on 27 Jan 2001. Tunneling down narrow passengers dug through the rubble, he pulled out five more survivors from Gayatri Apartments in Shivnagar. On 28 and 29 Jan 2001, Cpl Arora saved three more lives including Sgt KT Prasad's wife from Kaveri Apartments.

Corporal Sanjeev Kumar Arora displayed immense courage and unflinching commitment and saved lives of others at great risk to his own life.

Wing Commander Amarjit Singh Chaggar (13729) AE (M) has been on the posted strength of 27 Wing, AF wef 17 Jul 95 and has been working as the Chief Engineering Officer since 21 Sep 95.

Wing Commander Chaggar has been performing his duties with total dedication, sincerity and a high sense of responsibility. He follows a very systematic and methodical approach, in his routine work. His managerial skills, tactful handling and close interaction with the men has built a very healthy and enthusiastic working environment. His rich experience, professional acumen and able guidance to his subordinates has given an impetus to technical activities in every field and established high standards of maintenance discipline. Amongst the aircraft servicing activities, production of CR&SS (MiG-BIS) was boosted by as much as 40%. One of the Squadrons maintained 100% serviceability for a period of 11 days in AugSep 96. The serviceability state of Cheetah helicopters was maintained at 84.17% during their stay of one year at this station. 100% serviceability of Cheetah, was maintained for 22 days during May and Jun 96.

With his personal involvement, the MT serviceability was maintained at 91.25% during the last one year. The Communication and NAV Aids have been maintained at 100% serviceability state. His other achievements include inspiring the personnel to undergo locally conducted computer training and make a variety of innovation. A Battery Vent Plug Tester, a peg spanner for Nose Wheel assembly, test bench for R-60 Missile Launcher and Inner Marker were fabricated locally under his guidance.

For his innovative ideas, dedication to duty, high sense of responsibility and distinguished service, the President is pleased to award "Vishisht Seva Medal" to Wing Commander Amarjit Singh Chaggar.

Group Captain Mohit Kumar VM (14674) F (P) was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 29 Dec 76. Since then, he has flown a variety of fighter aircraft, including the MiG-21 M and the Mirage- 2000. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Pilot Attack Instructor and a graduate of the Royal Air Force Staff College at Bracknel (UK). He has held many important appointments, has commanded a Mirage 2000 squadron, and is presently Station Commander of Air Force Station Bhuj. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for exemplary performance during his command of No 7 Sqn Air Force prior to operation Safed Sagar.

During the devastating earthquake that rocked Gujarat and Kutch region on 26 January 2001, Air Force Station itself was badly affected, with heavy loss to life and property. Taking over command barely one week after the earthquake, Gp Capt Mohit Kumar displayed immense courage, deter mination and initiative by spearheading the rehabilitation of Air Force Station Bhuj and surrounding areas of Kutch. As the Station Commander, Gp Capt Mohit Kumar relentlessly pursued all rescue and relief activities on a war footing, and ensured that the airbase was quickly made continuously available and capable of receiving aircraft with relief supplies, and for sending out casualties to other bases. These activities were effectively coordinated with the civil agencies, and with the Army. This helped in synergising the relief and rescue operations, which drew praise from all quarters and displayed a high degree of inter-service jointness. Due to his untiring efforts, planning and positive attitude in the face of such a devastating natural calamity, the effects were made fairly manageable. The attitude of service before self followed by Air Force Station Bhuj under these adverse circumstances was the result of his leadership and brought accolades to the Indian Air Force.

For a high degree of professionalism, positive attitude, empathy and distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Mohit Kumar VM.

Wing Commander Amrit Lal Patel (15069) AE (M) was commissioned on 25 Jul 1977 in the Engineering Branch of the Indian Air Force. In 25 years of distinguished service he has held several important command and staff assignments that include Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) of a Base Repair Deport (BRD), Commanding Officer of Tech nical Type Training School, Senior Technical Officer (STO) at Helicopter Training School (HTS) and Chief Engineering Officer of a Fighter Base. He is a graduate of the Institute of Armament Technology, Pune. He was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff in 1992.

Whilst being the STO of HTS he performed creditably and ensured high serviceability of 28 helicopters. He achieved this challenging task with great foresight and meticulous planning. As CEO of a BRD he formulated the master process sheets for a wide range of specialist aircraft support vehicles. He also successfully overhauled these vehicles despite the uncertain availability of spares. He was instrumental in obtaining of ISO certification to the BRD.

Wg Cdr Patel took over duties of CEO, Air Force Station, Bhuj on 27 Mar 2000. During the earthquake, which struck the region of Kutch on 26 Jan 2001, Wg Cdr Patel suffered great personal loss. His house was completely destroyed, his aged mother was seriously injured and he lost all his personal belongings. Despite this personal loss, he earnestly went about the task of restoring the Station Engineering activities to normalcy. His active involvement in salvage operations resulted in the successful retrieval of technical equipment. He then set up alternate servicing facilities in tented accommodation and ensured that aircraft servicing commenced without any delay. His close supervision of the mechanical transport fleet ensured that all relief operations were carried out without a single untoward incident or accident. His efforts in quickly restoring communication and airfield lighting facilities ensured the safe and expeditious conduct of air relief operations. By his exemplary leadership, foresight and perseverance, Wg Cdr Patel was able to motivate his team to perform and achieve all tasks even under such adverse and trying conditions.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Amrit Lal Patel.

Group Captain Surendra Kumar Ghotia (16575) F (P) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of IAF on 11 Dec 81. In the past 25 years of distinguished service, he has held several important field and staff appointments which include Flight Commander of a Fighter Sqn, Chief Operations Officer of a base, Commanding Officer of a Fighter unit, Directing Staff at Defence Service Staff College and Director Intelligence at Air HQ. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, graduate of Defence Services Staff College and holds a Master of Philosophy degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

As Flight Commander he ensured high standards of safety in operations and the squadron was awarded a Citation by Chief of Air Staff for flying 5000 h of accident free flying. During his tenure as a Commanding Officer, the unit was adjudged best in Combat in Central Air Command. As Director Intelligence at Air HQ he was instrumental in conceptualisation, preparation and distribution of Digital Target Folders to the Operational Commands of IAF He has undergone the Higher Air Command Course where he stood First, scoring distinction in the M Phil examination.

Gp Capt Ghotia was appointed as Station Commander of Air Force Station, Bhuj on 17 Jul 06. The Station was nominated to conduct the ceremony for Presentation of President's 'standard' to MiG-21M and AN-32 Squadrons of the IAF on 15 Feb 07. Within a short span of time he meticulously planned and ensured that all the work services required for the functions were executed on time. With his detailed planning, foresight and able leadership he directed the personnel under him to complete all the challenging tasks while maintaining high morale. The high level of personal involvement, effective supervision and his ability to conduct events such as Ceremonial Parade, Photo Exhibition, Presidential Tea, Barakhana, etc. is commendable and praiseworthy. With an eye for minute details he ensured that all the functions were well conducted. It was appreciated by the President, Chief of Air Staff and Defence Secretary. The successful conduct of an event of such a great magnitude in a small place like Air Force Station Bhuj speaks volumes of his tremendous administrative and leadership qualities. For his distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Surendra Kumar Ghotia.