Shaurya Chakra | |||||
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Gp Capt | Fali Homi Major 11442 F(P) | Unit : 30 Wing | Award Date 14 Oct 92 | Announced 26 Jan 93 | |
Details : | On 13th Oct 1992, he was asked to undertake a very dangerous and exacting rescue mission at Pawanoo (HP). The hauling cable of the cable car carrying passengers to Timber Trail resort had snapped and ten passengers were stranded in the cable car hanging at a height of 1300 feet. He took off at about 0800 hours with qualified aircrew and role equipment and landed at Chandimandir at 0850 hours. He very quickly analysed the situation and concluded that the only way the tourist could be evacuated was by the way of winching them out of the cable car. Using his vast experience and exceptional flying ability, he deduced that the helicopter would have to hover precariously close to the set of cables that ran above the cable car. It was one of the hardest decisions he ever made. Gp Capt Major decided to launch the Mi-17 to rescue the stranded tourists. He briefed the crew thoroughly and advised them that the consequences of any lapse would be fatal. He motivated them and raised their morale. He became an integral part of the aircrew and even flew the missions. Under his supervision, Mi-17 helicopter successfully rescued five stranded tourists on the 14th October 1992 and the remaining tourists were rescued on the next day. Group Captain Fali Homi Major has thus rendered a yeoman's service by his able leadership and conspicuous courage. | ||||
Reference: | Gazette of India , 8th May 1993 - No.66 - Pres/93 dated 26th January 1993 | ||||