On the 1st November, 1984, Warrant Officer Sharma, who was residing in Palam Colony area, sheltered 12 members of minority community in his house to save their lives from the rioteers. In doing this, Warrant Officer Sharma risked the lives of his own family members as the rioteers got some hint that the minority community members were hiding in his house. They surrounded the house and threatened Warrant Officer Sharma with dire consequences if he did not hand over the people sheltered by him. Warrant Officer Sharma maintaining calm, tried to convince these miscreants that his house did not shelter any body. Not fully satisfied, the rioteers continued to keep watch on his house and his activities. On the night of 2nd November, 1984, Warrant Officer Sharma found an opportunity and evacuated first batch of six members of one family sheltering in his house. However before the second lot of 6 people could be moved to safety, the rioteers once again surrounded the house. Warrant Officer Sharma putting his own life at serious risk, argued with the rioteers and did not allow them to enter his house. His house remained surrounded by miscreants for 48 hours and he himself remained outside keeping their attention diverted. After two days, the family of 6 members was evacuated.

Warrant Officer Harkanwal Krishan Sharma thus displayed exemplary courage and presence of mind in extremely adverse circumstances at grave risk to his own life and lives of his family members.

Warrant Officer Jagannath Banerjee [Signaller (Air)] has been operating in NEFA, NHTA and Jammu and Kashmir areas for a long period. During the Chinese invasion of Ladakh, he worked fourteen hours a day, including six to eight hours of flying. He undertook several missions to forward landing grounds under enemy attack. In complete disregard of his personal safety, he always volunteered for hazardous missions and set a fine example to his colleagues and was source of inspiration ot them. Throughout, Warrant Officer Jagannath Banerjee displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Group Captain Saroj Jena commanded the I.A.F. Canberra Detachment in the Congo during April-October 1962. His Squadron rendered valuable service. He himself flew 10 sorties on reconnaissance missions. During the period December 1962 to May 1965, he commanded another Squadron. Under his able guidance the Squadron fulfilled all the tasks allotted to it creditably. Group Captain Jena took over Command of Air Force Station Palam, in January 1967 and was responsible for organising the fly-past during Republic Day 1967 and 1968. He was also responsible for the intricate flight planning, safety of aircraft and correct timings of the aircraft participating in the Air Power Demonstration held at Tilpat on 31st March 1968.

Throughout, Group Captain Saroj Jena displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Master Warrant Officer Tom David was on the posted strength of Air Force Station, Palam since 28 May 74. Ever since, he has been employed as the Station Warrant Officer.

Master Warrant Officer David has completed over 36 years of meritorious and dedicated service. In recognition of his outstanding performance and devotion to duty, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff twice and also by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Com mand. Even when left with only a few months of service, he continued to be an embodiment of efficiency in his field of activities.

He has displayed a very high degree of professional competence, loyalty and total devotion to duty. He has the capacity to work for long hours willingly and efficiently. He has proved himself to be a very useful member of the team. Without him, the Station could not have possibly accomplished all the tasks assigned to it.

He understands the needs of his men and is ever prepared to meet their legitimate demands. With his excellent man-management, he formed a close knit team of class 'D' employees of the station. He is firm and yet considerate. In fact, he has set a fine example of an airman for others to emulate.

For the past three years. Master Warrant Officer David has played an important role in the success of "Air Force Day Parades" held at Palam and in particular, the Air Force Day Parade held in October 1978. Master Warrant Officer David was entrusted with the exacting task of preparation of the parade ground, seating arrangements and giving a facelift to the whole area. The results and the standard achieved were a testimony to his organising ability.

For the "Fire Power Demonstration" organised at Tilpat in Feb 78, Master Warrant Officer David was responsible for making varied administrative arrangements. As such much of the credit for the show goes to him.

Besides his normal call of duty, he has also taken very keen interest in all the station activities. He has been responsible for organising various cultural and sports activities. Master Warrant Officer David has also been responsible for creating the 'Beat Band' comprising talented airmen of the Station. The contributions made by him to the Service have been very substantial and invaluable.

For his professional competence, organising ability and total dedication to Service, Rashtrapati is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Master Warrant Officer Tom David.

Group Captain Dharam Vir Dhingra was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Nov 62. Since then the has held various important appointments with distinction and has acquitted himself in an exemplary manner. Since Sep 86, he has been serving as Chief Administrative officer at Air Force Station Palam.

This Station is responsible to provide administrative services to 21 Units and making arrangements for reception and departure of VVIPs including foreign dignitaries. With limited manpower resources available, he has handled multifarious administrative responsibilities in an exemplary manner to the satisfaction of all the units.

As C AD O, Gp Capt Dhingra is solely responsible for planning and implementation of various works services at this Station.

During the 'Alert' in the country in Jan 87 Gp Capt Dhingra set up 'Air Force Transit Camp' at this Station. Almost 2000 officers and airmen transited through this Station during this period. He had to work regularly, beyond the normal hours to achieve the tasks assigned to this Station during this period.

Besides, the officer has dedicated himself to improving the quality of life of the station personnel. Considerable improvement has been planned and brought about in SNCO and Airmen Messes. The living and working environment at this station has improved considerably. The sustained efforts being made by the officer have substantially contributed to raising the morale of the personnel.

For his qualitative performance, result oriented initiative, high professional competence, and excellent organizing capability, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Dharam Vir Dhingra.

Group Captain Pranab Kumar Dutt (13324) AE (M) was commissioned on 01 Jan 73 in the AE (M) branch of IAF. As STO, Target Towing Flight Kalaikunda, he performed commendably and was awarded AOC-in-C Commendation in 1978. He was declared best Aero student at Cranfield (UK) in 1982. He was given a cash award for his innovation in designing two special VVIP ladders for Avro aircraft in 1985. Whilst on the posted strength of Air HQ Comn Sqn, he was commended by the CAS in 1986 for his contribution in designing a system for BOROSCOPE Check on PRATT & WHITNEY BOEING 737 engines. This resulted in substantial savings in terms of money, manpower and material. His dedication and professionalism was exhibited again as the Project Co-ordination Officer to indigenously design and develop brake pads for Hunter aircraft which saved a large amount of foreign exchange.

During 1994 as Senior Engineering Officer at Air HQ Comn Sqn, his professionalism in postulating a proposal for upward revision of periodicity for Check 'C' servicing of VVIP Boeing-737 aircraft from 90 to 105 days, was approved by the Boeing Company. This has so far accrued into a net saving of almost two crores. As Chief Engineering Officer at 03 Wing, AF for the last one year, Group Captain Dutt has worked relentlessly round the clock to provide excellent direction to the maintenance team. He has contributed significantly to achieving optimum serviceability and reliability of a fleet consisting of four different types of transport aircraft/helicopters involved with VVIP/VIP operations. His technical acumen in modifying cabin heating system on all the vehicles at Leh and Thoise was a landmark of excellence.

For his exceptional professionalism, exemplary zeal, untiring and selfless dedication to duty, innovativeness in saving large sums to the national exchequer and ability to inspire, the President is pleased to award "Vishisht Seva Medal" to Group Captain Pranab Kumar Dutt.

Group Captain Ravinder Sharma (15646) AE (M) was commissioned on 01 Jan 79 in the Engineering branch of the IAF and is presently on the posted strength of Air Force Station Palam since 01 Dec 03. In 27 years of distinguished service, he has held several important staff and field appointments that include Senior Technical officer (STO) of Mi-35 attack helicopter squadrons, CO of two Training Schools, Senior Engineer (Mechanical) of a fighter base and joint director for helicopter maintenance at Air HQ.

Whilst being the STO of Mi-25 Helicopter Squadron (Sqn) in Oct 87, the officer was entrusted with the challenging responsibility of deploying the Sqn for overseas operations as part of IPKF at a very short notice. Under trying circumstances in the unfamiliar terrain, the officer handled the whole gamut of complex operations diligently with unflagging zeal. As a result, his resourcefulness blended with technical expertise stood the Sqn in good stead in maintaining an accident/incident free record during the entire tenure with IPKF.

Owing to the exceptional professional acumen, he was one amongst few officers who were selected to undergo maintenance conversion course on Mi-35 helicopters in erstwhile USSR in Sep 89. On return he was instrumental in erection and subsequent induction of Mi-35 helicopters to the Air Force inventory. As STO of Mi-35 helicopter Sqn, he designed and indigenized few test equipment and simplified servicing procedures for which he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff in Jan 95. As the CO of the Workshop Training Institute (WTI), he created high quality training facilities and documents which paved the way towards recognition of training at WTI equivalent to Engineering diploma by the All India Council of Technical Education.

The officer was appointed as Chief Engineering Officer of Air Force Station Palam on 01 Dec 03. Since then, Station's impeccable record of accident free flying of over 20,000 hrs stand as a mute testimony to the officer's leadership qualities, exhaustive technical skills and devotion to duty. With his charismatic personality, he carried the whole team in synergy towards realization of the organizational goals. This was amply evident when Dornier aircraft of the Station not only achieved 100% serviceability after a gap of 20 years but also sustained it for one month. He also played a pivotal role in induction of Embraer aircraft in the IAF for VVIP role and setting up its type training facilities at this station in record time. The officer created an environment of technical excellence in the station that prompted a series of innovations which included design and fabrication of mini tarmac sweeping machine, ac washing rigs and onboard work station for operating special equipment on Dornier ac. During Air Force Day Parade 2005, the officer with imaginative innovations, conceptualized and created an exceptional parade backdrop, which was highly appreciated and won the Air Force many accolades from the sister services as well civil dignitaries.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Ravinder Sharma.