Squadron Leader Poovala Govindarajulu Srivatsalu has flown over 5,200 hours on transport aircraft, which include over 800 hours of operational flying. He is also a flying instructor and has over 2,000 hours of instructional flying to his credit. He holds Transport Category 'A' and a Master Green instrument rating. His entire flying career has been accident­free. He has ensured high standards of training amongst his aircrew.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Poovala Govindarajulu Srivatsalu displayed professional skill and leadership.

Wing Commander Ramesh Krishnarao Na garkatti took over command of Navigation and Signals School in May, 1970. With his resou rcefulness and effective management, he was able to overcome many difficulties confronting the unit. As a result, he achieved the completion of all the courses on schedule with good results. His constant exhortation and personal example let to the upgrading of the transport categories of pilots, navigators, signallers and the instructional categories of qualified navigational instructors. He has flown over 4,500 hours, of which nearly 1,300 are by night. It was largely due to his untiring efforts and personal supervision as a Commander as well as a highly skilled navigator, that the Navigation and Signals School had a perfect flight safety record during 1970.

Wing Commander Erasseri Pathayapura Radhakrishnan Nair has been in the Command of the Navigation and Signals School since November, 1966. Prior to this posting, he had held a variety of important appointments. In the performance of these duties he has shown commendable initiative and exceptional ability as an instruction and administrator.

During the period of his command, he had to face enormous problems connected with training, maintenance and administration. In accordance with the reorganised post emergency training plans Navigation and Signals School was to re-form at Begumpet as an independent unit in January, 1968. When the proposed move was made known towards the end of 1967, there were two ab-initio Navigators Courses, one Signallers (Air) Course and one Navigation Instructors Course under training at their school. The Navigators and Signallers (Air) Courses had to be completed in December, 1967 if the planned flow of aircrew to operational squadrons were to be maintained. This task was admirably completed by the Navigation and Signals School. To accomplish this, while the preparations for the move were in progress, demanded an organising ability of the highest order. By this inspiring leadership, man management and exampleable, Wing Commander Nair was able to obtain willing cooperation from his instructional and maintenance staff. The move was completed in a very organised and orderly manner and the courses commenced training at the new location within ten days of the move, which speaks of his administrative ability.

Often, the low serviceability state of the limited class room aircraft had given the school cause for anxiety. During these occasions, Wing Commander Nair had shown utmost patience untiring zeal, initiative and tactfulness of high order which made it possible to maintain the enthusiasm and confidence of the staff.

This officer has also distinguished himself professionally as a navigator on transport aircraft and as an instructor. Currently he holds a transport "A" category and a "A-2" instructor's category.

Throughout the tenure as the Commanding Officer of the Navigation and Signals School. Wing Commander Errasseri Pathayapura Radhakrishnan Nair has displayed organising ability, dedication to duty, professional superiority and resourcefulness of a high order.

Sgt Reddy PVCS is on the posted strength of an AF Station wef 03 Dec 84 and presently working at Navigation and Signals School.

In order to modernise the training aids, the station decided to modernise the DR Navigation Trainer at Navigation and Signals School. Development of an electrically operated Navigation Synthetic Trainer was considered. At this juncture, Sgt Reddy suggested the design of a microprocessor based Navigation Simulator with automated instrument operation. He developed and successfully demonstrated automated operation of Flight Instruments using borrowed microprocessor and other necessary components. The Station Commander, considering his extraordinary professional skills appointed him as Project Engineer.

Inspite of the tight schedule and very limited finance, Sgt Reddy with his undeterred will-power and hard work completed the first phase on schedule. On many occasions he worked for 18 to 20 hours a day. The progress made in the project was demonstrated to AOC-in-C, TC, and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, Air HQ, Sgt Reddy's personal contribution towards the success of the project was highly appreciated by them.

Subsequently, stepper motors were introduced, as driving elements for all instruments of the Simulator. This, being a new technology, involved major changes in hardware. Inspite of the lack of know how and technical infrastructure for this purpose, Sgt Reddy never lost his enthusiasm. By effectively utilising his technical skills, he successfully accomplished the task. His acumen and technical innovativeness resulted in several advantages to the service in terms of saving of money and time in this project.

Sgt Reddy through diligence, determination and ability to grasp complex technical requirements and then providing solutions has made outstanding contributions towards the rapid and satisfactory progress of this project.

For his professional competence, unique capability for innovativeness, sustained hard work and selfless devotion to the service, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sgt Reddy PVCS.