Wing Commander PV Athawale was commissioned as an Engineer on 02 Jul 73. He is Flight Signaller and has served at Western Air Command Computer Centre.

The officer creditably discharged the responsibility as the first Commanding Officer of the Software Development Institute (SDI) since its Phase 1 inception in Jan 92. He undertook the initial setting up of the Institute, including professional direction in the acquisition of assets for software development, training of officers and airmen and successfully accomplishing Air HQ tasks for software development and upgrade with a handful of personnel. The significant achievements of the nascent Institute are chiefly due to the single minded dedication, long hours of work and professional leadership of the officer. The gains accrued by way of savings in cost and operational capability, from these achievements, are of significant measure and importance to Air Force.

The Officer was also the architect in planning the growth of the Institute from Phase 1 to the present Phase 2 in Nov 95, in order to meet the enhanced challenges in the field of software engineering being undertaken by SDI. Presently Wg Cdr Athawale as the Chief Software Engineer, is directing and guiding many on-line projects tasked by the Air HQ.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wg Cdr PV Athawale.

Group Captain Jagan Nath Rampal (13700) AE (L), has been on the posted strength of Software Development Institute (SDI) since 24 March 1997. The Officer has had varied experience in communication and radar fields, aircrew duties as Flight Signaller and ELINT operator and in Electronic Warfare Planning. The officer has to his credit the preparation of the first CRC Communication network and technical analysis of the technologies to form the basis of communication network for CRC II.

Group Captain Rampal has also done significant work on software in the field of communication and EW. As Chief Software Engineer, the officer has exercised professional acumen and project management of exceptional order in supervising and steering all the projects at SDI. He has applied himself with utmost devotion in leading and directing the development activity for a number of major projects. In one of the EW projects, reverse engineering posed a challenge due to non availability of data from foreign vendors. This challenge was successfully met by Group Captain Rampal. Proven through user trials, this indigenisation is to effect enormous saving in foreign exchange by obviating the requirement of direct purchase from foreign vendors.

For his professional expertise, single minded devotion to duty and distinguished service, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Jagan Nath Rampal.