Born in 1909, Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh joined the Indian Air Force on its formation in 1932 as a technician. He served in the ranks till 1942 when he was granted a Commission in the Technical Branch. Since then, he has served in both Command and Staff appointments. He was appointed Officer Commanding, Base Repair Depot, in 1949 and Air Officer Commanding Maintenance Command, in 1955 when that Command was formed. The status of Maintenance Command was raised and A.V.M. Harjinder Singh was promoted in his present rank and appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command.

In early 1960 it was decided to manufacture in the country a transport aircraft to replace Dakotas which were in short supply. After a decision by the Government to manufacture the AVRO-748 aircraft was taken, this task was given to A.V.M. Harjinder Singh who was asked to build the first aircraft as soon as possible and to set up a manufacturing line at the Base Repair Depot at Kanpur. This modern jet transport aircraft could only be manufactured with skilled and experienced personnel. An aircraft manufacturing depot was established alongside the Base Repair Depot at Kanpur under the Command of A.V.M. Harjinder Singh who was asked to undertake the manufacture of this aircraft. Jigs and tools were set up in the record time, mostly from available resources under the personal supervision of A.V.M. Harjinder Singh. Air Force personnel who have so far been accustomed exclusively to repair and overhaul work were trained in the factory methods and given the task of manufacture. With the assistance of a few specialists from England, the I.A.F. personnel numbering about 440 in all, built the first production model of the AVRO-748 in the aircraft manufacturing depot at Kanpur in a record time of 17 months when the production model was still being manufactured in the U.K. The Indian made AVRO-748 gave a flying display on 26th November 1961, when the Prime Minister blessed its maiden flight in Delhi.

The speed with which this aircraft was constructed by Air Force personnel with no previous manufacturing experience and with the resources which previously were mostly used for maintenance and repair and the quality of workmanship itself, which even the A.V. Roe of U.K. have acknowledged as something unique in aircraft industry, are a tribute to the tireless energy, skill and personal example of Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh. Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshall Om Prakash Mehra (1639) GD (P) was Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Maintenance Command for a period of over three years with effect from 3rd October, 1963. On relinquishment of Command he was appointed Air Officerin-Charge Maintenance with effect from 1st February 1967, where he continues.

During his tenure as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, this Air Officer was able to improve the efficiency of that Command; he showed commendable initiative, energy and untiring zeal in pursuing various projects and ensuring their completion on schedule. There were many shortages in that Command during the period of his command but despite those, he was able to increase the output of overhauled engines and aircraft from the Base Repair Depots. In the Equipment Depots, he was able to introduce new ideas and improve their functioning. As a result, the efficiency of the Maintenance Command as a whole improved considerably during his assignment.

Since taking over the duties of Air Officerin-Charge Maintenance, Air Vice Marshal Mehra has not spared himself in making up the shortages which exist on the Maintenance side. Due to various factors there have been shortages of spares. There have also been many other difficulties in adhering to the programme set before us for servicing aircraft. These difficulties notwithstanding, he has with his characteristics drive and initiative set into motion various actions which area now beginning to produce good results.

Air Vice Marshal Hari Chand Dewan was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1940. He saw active service in Burma during World War II. He has held various command and staff appointments with distinction. He attended the Flying Instructors Course in the United Kingdom in 1942 and the RAF Staff College Course, Andover, in 1948-49. He also attended the National Defence College Course in 1961-62. After holding the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command, he was posted as Director of Operations (Transport) at Air Headquarters where he had to handle a variety of difficult problems relating to air transport support. During the Chinese aggression in 1962, he planned the airlift programme involving not only the transport fleet of the Air Force but almost the entire fleet of the Indian Airlines and non-scheduled operators. He was also instrumental in arranging compilation of navigation data for airfields and the revision of aeronautical charts. During his tenure as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, he has made marked improvement in the operational potential of the fighting elements of the Command. As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, since 1st April 1968, he has shown a great deal of energy and initiative in meeting the maintenance and supply requirements of the operational commands.

Air Marshal Kanwar Iqbal Singh Chhabra, AVSM, was commissioned in the Indian Force in April 1950. During his long service career, he had distinguished himself not only by professional competence but also by outstanding administrative ability. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and also the National Defence College.

His command appointments include the command of a TAC during Indo-Pak conflict in December 1971, where he displayed exceptional skill in planning, supervision leadership. He achieved outstanding results by blunting the massive enemy attacks ChhambJaurian sector and contributed to the destruction of ground forces and elimination of enemy air opposition in the theatre.

In recent years, Air Marshal Chhabra, has held with distinction the important appointments of Senior Officer Administration at Central Air Command and Air Officer Commanding, HQ Maritime Air Operations where he achieved excellence in cooperation with the Navy and with connected civil agencies.

In his present appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command which carries out overhaul and repair of aircraft, aero-engines, and ground equipment and specialist vehicles, Air Marshal through effective and efficient management of manpower and material resources brought about significant improvements in the output. This has directly contributed in improving serviceability and output of operational units.

Air Marshal Kanwar Iqbal Singh Chhabra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Madan Lal Sethi (4009) Flying (Navigator) was commissioned in January, 1951. Having attended MR Bomber Courses in UK, he was one of the first two crews, which established the nucleus of the newly formed Jet Bomber Conversion Unit in India. He has over 3200 hours of accident free flying to his credit.

He was amongst the first batch of Air Force Personnel to be trained on Surface to Air Guided Weapons in USSR. Later as Officer Commanding of an SAGW operational Squadron, undeterred by hardships, his unit achieved the distinction of being the first unit to be operational.

He attained Directing Staff Grading in the Defence Services Staff College and subsequently served as a Directing Staff in this prestigious institution of the country. He is also a graduate of the National Defence College. In recognition of his experience and instructional capability of exceptionally high standard, he was selected as leader of the Training Team which established an Air Wing of the Staff College in a friendly foreign country.

He has held several Staff appointments in Commands/Air Headquarters. As Joint Director Navigation, he formulated categorization scheme for navigators and Air Traffic Controllers. He was instrumental in the formation of the integrated Area Control Center in J&K.

He was specially selected to Command the largest ground training establishment in the Air Force, where his performance was creditable. Later as Director (Military) in the Cabinet Secretariat he performed the functions related to the secretariat of the Chiefs of Staff Committee very efficiently. On promotion to the rank or Air Vice Marshal in April, 1981, he was appointed as Director of Intelligence, in the Air Force. His approach towards handling of extremely sensitive matters of highly classified nature, like Air Intelligence, Security and vigilance has been highly methodical and systematic. His direction in a field which has vital bearing in the functional efficiency of the service and demands quick and correct decisions has been of immense value in toning up the security and intelligence environment throughout the Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Sethi, with his dynamic, pragmatic approach, determination and selfless devotion to service, has displayed brilliant and outstanding qualities of leadership, managerial skill and organizing abilities.

Air Vice Marshal Madan Lal Sethi, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Kuldip Singh Bhatia was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the Indian Air Force in 1951. He has held a wide variety of Command and Staff assignments during his long and meritorious service in the Air Force and has distinguished himself by rare professional competence and outstanding administrative ability.

The important Staff/Command appointments held by him include that of Chief Engineering Officer of a major Fighter station. In recognition of his exceptional ability to combine technical with managerial competence, he was subsequently given Command of an important Base Repair Depot. As the BRD Commander he accomplished all tasks ahead of schedule.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in February 1985, he took over as the Project Director of Radar and Communication Project Organisation. As a competent Technical Officer and a versatile field engineer, he has displayed a high degree of initiative in planning and installation of the trope, microwave and radar facilities. Thus he has been instrumental in significantly enhancing Air Defence Ground Environment capabilities of the IAF. His selfless devotion to duty has earned him the admiration and respect of the personnel who have had to perform field tasks even in remote and inaccessible mountainous terrain.

Air Marshal Kuldip Singh Bhatia AVSM & Bar has, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Indrakanty Gopala Krishna was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on the 2nd May, 1957. During his long and distinguished career he has held a wide variety of command and staff appointments which include command of a major Base Repair Depot, Chief Engineer of two key fighter bases and Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of two commands. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, the Air Officer held a wide variety of staff appointments with ease and aplomb. He held the challenging appointments of Director Engineering 'B' in 1985 and Director Engineering 'A' in 1988 with distinction at Air Headquarters. The Air Officer brought about several innovative changes in these appointments which directly contributed to the operational preparedness of the IAF. An alumnus of the National Defence College, the Air Officer also had a very distinguished tenure as the Deputy Air Attaché at Paris. In this tenure, the technical reports of the Air Officer were always exceptionally helpful in evaluating spare parts requirements of French origin.

Having undergone Senior Defence Management Course, the Air Officer was first appointed as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at HQ Western Air Command and later at Maintenance Command. While holding these key appointments, the Air Officer vigorously pursued the IAF's short and long term maintenance targets. On being appointed as AOCin-C Maintenance Command in April 1991 Air Marshal Krishna has brought to bear his wide-ranging field and staff experience upon providing fresh impetus to the on-going process of technological update of maintenance practices of the IAF.

Air Marshal Indrakanty Gopala Krishna, AVSM, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Rajamani Ramamurthy was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch on 01 March 1958. As Senior Technical Officer of a newly acquired fighter aircraft, he did a commendable job for which he was awarded VSM in 1971. Subsequently, he was appointed Chief of Aircraft at a major Base Repair Depot (BRD) and performed exceptionally well by increasing the production. He was specially selected as the technical member of Jaguar Project Team in UK. As Director of Jaguar and Mirage cell at Air HQ, the Air Officer performed creditably in ensuring timely setting up of support facilities for new aircraft at three AF Wings. He was later appointed as Air Officer Commanding of largest Repair and Overhaul Base, where due to his meticulous planning and foresight, he set up the new facilities and test beds for the overhauling of newly inducted aircraft and aeroengines. On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS) at Air HQ, responsible for supporting Indo-Western fleet. He was a member of the Ministry of Defence team which negotiated with Rolls Royce and obtained over Rs.80 crores in foreign exchange as damages.

On promotion to Air Marshal, the Air Officer was appointed Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of Maintenance Command (MC). He vigorously pursued the IAF's short and long term maintenance targets. On being appointed AOC-in-C, MC, in July 1993, Air Marshal R Ramamurthy has brought to bear his wide ranging field and staff experience to initiate fresh impetus to the on-going process of technological update of maintenance practices of the IAF.

Air Marshal Rajamani Ramamurthy, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal R Bajpai, AVSM was commissioned in the Engineering Branch on 20 Jun 1960. He holds an MSc. Degree in Physics, M Tech in Radar Technology and was awarded Ph D by IIT Delhi in 1995 for his work on “Electronic Warfare'. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College. He was awarded AVSM in 1995.

He has held many prestigious field and staff appointments. As Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, HQ Maintenance Command, with his innovative approach and thrust on indigenisation, computerisation and rationalisation, he achieved phenomenal growth in every aspect of production and maintenance activity while effecting savings in manpower, money and material.

In his present appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, under his overall direction, supervision and control, he has ensured successful indigenous development of repair, life extension and overhaul technologies for aircraft, aggregates and other radar and communication equipment. The first AN-32 and MiG-23 BN aircraft overhauled with indigenous technology have already joined the operational fleets. Besides savings in crores of rupees in foreign exchange and downtime of the aircraft, he has provided the nation with much needed self reliance. These extraordinary achievements could be possible because of his sound professional background, administrative and managerial skill and total dedication.

Air Marshal R Bajpai, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished services of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal G Gururani, AVSM, VSM, was commissioned on 01 Dec 61 in the Engineering Branch. He has held the appointment of Chief Engineering Officer at AF Station Agra, Air Officer Commanding of a Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Chandigarh/Assistant Chief of Air Staff (ACAS), Air HQ and Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, HQ Maintenance Command (SMSO, HQ. MC). He was awarded VSM in 1983 and AVSM in 1993.

As ACAS, his dialogue with the original equipment manufacturers of Russia/CIS countries resulted in multifold improvement in supplies/repairs from Russia/CIS countries. During this tenure, he initiated life extension studies with the help of expertise available in the IAF, HAL and DRDO/CSIR labs. As a result life extension schedules were evolved and large scale withdrawals for overhaul in foreign countries were averted resulting in saving of large amount of foreign exchange.

As SMSO, HQ MC, he focused on self reliance and Indigenisation of spares by the repair depots. As Air Officer incharge Maintenance the Air Officer is continuing the thrust on self reliance. Servicing schedules of combat fleets are being revised to eliminate over servicing. Plans have been initiated for in-situ calibration by means of air transportable cabins fitted with calibration equipment. The thrust on procurement of maintenance supplies from original equipment manufacturers is continuing and the results are evident in the form of all round improvement in serviceability. A programme has been initiated to revise the logistics procedures and practices to bring them in line with present realities.

Air Marshal G Gururani, AVSM, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Shanti Swaroop Gupta AVSM VSM took over as the Air Officer Commandingin-Chief of Maintenance Command on 01 Aug 97. Within a short span of time after taking over, with his dynamism and vision, he transformed the entire work culture of Maintenance Command. All the BRDs and Equipment Depots have been connected to Command HQ through modems. Exchange of information about the inventory, which runs into several lakhs, is now being done on computers. Similarly, the information on items which have been indigenised was compiled from various agencies and the Command now has records of more than 1.7 lakhs such items. Establishment of a huge data base and quick transfer of information has been of immense help in executive decision making. This resulted in reduction of inventory levels and a large inventory which was non-moving started moving. Effective utilisation of procurement powers in respect of decentralised ranges consisting of HPT32, Kiran, Dornier aircraft, Cheetah/Chetak helicopters, Clothing and MT, has resulted in reduction of stock holdings and cash out flows annually, besides ensuring high level of availability of items.

A cell was formed at HQ Maintenance Command for monitoring and reducing the outstanding AOGs. This Cell has made very significant achievements, as the complete procedures for meeting the AOG demands were revised and streamlined. A regular feed back is now given to operational commands on the status of their outstanding demands. Concept of Base Repair Depot acting as Mother Depot has been implemented in letter and spirit.

A number of studies were carried out under the guidance of Air Mshl Gupta which have resulted in savings amounting to millions of dollars which otherwise would have had to be paid to the foreign vendors. These include studies on life extension of AN-32 and MiG-29 aircraft indigenously.

Since import of spares from abroad is becoming costlier and also in some cases these items were not available, he launched a major drive for indigenization of spares. This programme included holding of seminars and exhibitions with the help of Confederation of Indian Industries to encourage the entrepreneurs to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force indigenously. He also undertook programmes for modernization of infrastructure at the BRDs, so that many of the sample spares required could be manufactured at the Depots. As a result of these measures more than one thousand items our of approximately 2000 required for overhaul of bare airframe of MiG-29 aircraft have been indigenized.

Air Marshal Shanti Swaroop Gupta AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Dinesh Chandra Nigam AVSM VSM (7938) AE (L) was commissioned on 07 Oct 63 in IAF and is presently holding the appointment of SMSO at HQ Maintenance Command, IAF. During his career in IAF, he has held various important field and staff appointments like CEO of a fighter base, Chief Production Officer of BRD, DG RCPO, JDEW and GC IMMOLS, all with distinction. From the outset, Air Marshal Nigam has been regarded as an officer with vision and determination and is considered amongst the pioneers in the field of electronic warfare and information technology. As GC IMMOLS & ACAS (IT) at Air HQ, he ushered in the era of distributed data processing and satellite communication wide area network, which have provided significant impetus to computerisation.

Air Mshl Nigam took over as SMSO Maintenance Command on 01 Aug 2000 and immediately gave a massive thrust to the indigenisation of overhaul spares, life extension studies and modernisation of BRDs. By his sustained encouragement, BRDs have achieved almost 90% indigenisation of mandatory overhaul spares. On life extension studies, he mustered the support of a number of competent Government agencies like JGCAR, CEMILAC, HAL and DRDO laboratories. By associating them with BRDs, a number of life extension studies on aircraft and aeroengines could be completed at a fraction of the cost demanded by OEMs. With his penchant for futuristic planning, Air Marshal Nigam has initiated a number of steps towards modernisation of repair depots to bring them at par with international standards. Under his guidance, all the repair depots have already obtained ISO 9002 certification.

Air Mshl Nigam also has an in-depth knowledge and analytical mind to manage techno-logistics issues. With his sharp vision, he has embarked upon the task of liquidation of non-moving stores. He took up this challenge and issued various policies/orders on rationalisation of stores and purification of data. This exercise has started bearing fruits and a large number of non-moving lines have been converted to moving ones

Air Marshal Dinesh Chandra Nigam AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedl VSM (12100) AE (L) was commissioned on 1969 in the AE Branch of IAF. In his distinguished 37 years of service, he has served in fighter squadrons, overhaul lines of fighter and transport aircraft, commanded Base Repair Depot of front line transport aircraft and also Radar/Communication Repair Depot. He has successfully and effectively held challenging appointments of Senior Maintenance Staff Officer and also Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance. For his distinguished service he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1986 while serving in a front line fighter squadron.

He took over as AOC-in-C Maintenance Command on 16 May 2005 Immediately after taking over the command, he reviewed the availability of operational assets at operating units vis-à-vis maintenance support being provided by Base Repair Depots, Equipment Depots and also HAL. While performance of support units within its specified task appeared to be normal, results were not commensurate to achieve desired status of operational units. With his in-depth knowledge of production at BRDs, HAL and provisioning procedure at various levels, he applied conceived measure towards formulation of production task of BRDs and provisioning norms. These measures have started showing results as the production in one of the BRD, has surpassed unit demands and no demand is outstanding. The similar status is expected to be achieved by other BRDs and HAL due to reorientation of tasks.

Indigenisation of spares was another area where additional thrust was given by the officer, including new inductions In the Air Force. These measures will assure supply of critical spares to operations units in keeping high serviceability. The task of modernisation of BRDs, which was pending for a long, has been reviewed by him with more practicable and implementable scheme, which has gained momentum. Modernisation of warehousing in Air Force has been lacking. The officer with his dynamic leadership has initiated various corrective measures in this direction too. All Equipment Depots have been provided with modern packaging equipment, which is capable of packing sophisticated Air Craft spares at much lower cost, both to packaging and transportation. For better utilisation of warehousing space, a computer based “Carousel System" has been introduced in one of the Depot on experimental basis which will lead to saving of precious space as well as man power required to handle large inventories.

Air Marshal Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedl VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exception order.

Air Marshal Jayant Satchidanand Apte AVSM (11900) AE (L) was commissioned in the AE (L) branch on 30 Dec 68. He has held important appointments, such as Chief Engg Officer (CEO) of a fighter base, Chief of Planning & Production of Systems Base Repair Depot (BRD), CO of ADGES Training Institute, Command Engg Officer at Western Air Command (WAC) and Command Signals Officer [CSO (Air)] at Eastern Air Command, Air Officer Commanding, AF Stn Kanpur, ACAS (Eng A) at Air HQ and SMSO at Maintenance Command (MC). He is an alumnus of DSSC. For his distinguished service of exceptional order he was awarded AVSM in 2004.

As CEO, his station was adjudged the best in maintenance for two years. While at WAC, he provided directions to bases, operating different types of weapon systems and successfully coordinated maintenance requirements of all operations including three Trishul Exercises. As CSO (Air), he standardised installation of electronic ex-changes and communication systems for enhanced operational availability. At AF Stn, Kanpur, he achieved enhanced production of aircraft and aeroengines and also led revision of life teams for AN-32 airframes and Viper aeroengines, resulting in improved availability for operations. As ACAS (Eng A) at Air HQ, he initiated key strategic decisions of maintenance support and to improve availability of Russian aircraft, helicopters and aeroengines. Some of the major issues initiated which have long term effect are, enhanced life of thrust vector nozzle of Su-30, repair and maintenance facilities for Bison and Su-30 aggregates and long term aeroengine overhaul plan for MiG-29 and AN-32 with OEMs. At HQ MC as SMSO, he coordinated maintenance activities of BRDs resulting in timely completion of tasks. Under his guidance, indigenization stall at Aero India 2003 and 2007 drew considerable response from the private sector, which has contributed immensely in indigenisation of critical spares. He was instrumental in introducing measures to improve the Average Service Life of components, concept of identifying and keeping Non-Performing Assets to a minimum, initiating the use of IT in managing assets in the form of Monitoring Life of MiG 29 and Su 30 MKI Aggregates and AOG management software. A sustained drive to reduce components classified as 'History Not Known' was initiated to reduce such components. His concept of indigenisation BRD will facilitate human, material and intellectual synergies in producing quality spares. He also initiated the concept of opportunity servicing for increasing fleet availability of IL 76 and Flight Refueling Aircraft.

He took over as AOC-in-C, MC on 02 Apr 07 and extended his philosophy of optimisation to Logistic and Administrative areas. His inputs for improving the effectiveness of IMMOLS (Integrated Materials Management On-Line System) will lead to an analytical and problem solving approach for asset management, thereby discarding non-productive activities like maintaining Floor Level Consumption Records. His drive towards tracking assets lying at HAL since long, have lead to recovery of over Rs 30 Crores in last one year and will improve aggregates availability. His passion for a less paper office and increased use of IT has resulted in improved productivity and efficiency of maintenance.

Air Marshal Jayant Satchidanand Apte AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Wing Commander Inder Singh Dua (3631) took over as Senor Personnel Staff Officer of Headquarters Maintenance Command, IAF on first Apr 1969. Prior to this he worked as Command Works I, in which assignment he was graded outstanding.

Immediately after taking over his new duties, Wing Commander Dua brought about radical changes in the working of his department. His organisation and professional sill resulted in the better handling of the administrative problems in the Command. He also ensured that no disciplinary cases were left unactioned and that the personal problems were attended to promptly. His devoted work contributed largely towards the betterment of administration in general and in particular the good administration of the civilian personnel, who abound in this Command.

The non-finalisation of the documents of airmen and civilians prior to their proceeding on discharge retirement, resulting in delayed finalization of their pension claims, had been one of the major problems of the Command. With ingenuity and professional zeal, Wing Commander Dua was able to formulate procedures by which the documentation is now completed in time. He has also spent long hours, beyond the call of his duty, to compile a large number of useful pamphlets and directives on administrative matters which have been of great value to the units.

Wing Commander Shymal Kumar (3818) has been the Command Electrical Officer since November 1966. In this capacity he has been responsible for variety of complex tasks such as third and fourth line servicing of aircraft electrical components, instruments, engineering system and overhauling of a number of electrical ground equipment. Besides these responsibilities, he was entrusted with the job of designing and setting up a modern and elaborate electroplating shop in Repair Depot on "turn key" basis - a new concept, and the preparation of the design and technical specifications of a centralized compressed Air Supply system for the Repair Depot. The work in both these projects involved detailed market survey of the indigenous resources and a thorough understanding of the technical set up of various workshop a the Depot. By perseverance he completed the assigned task successfully, thereby displaying an admirable depth of knowledge, ability for sustained hard work and high degree of initiative and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh (4191) took over as Command Judge Advocate of Headquarters Maintenance Command in May, 1968. Prior to this, he was Command Judge Advocate at Central Air command where he was commended for his good work by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

As Command Judge Advocate at Headquarters Maintenance Command, he has displayed great understanding and fore-sight in effective and speedy finalization of disciplinary cases through sustained hard work. He possesses a thorough knowledge of Air Force law and applies it with great confidence. It has been the result of his efforts solely that there are no arrears of courts martial in the Command. He has also been responsible for instilling a sense of urgency in the handling and disposal of disciplinary cases at all levels. Beyond the call of his duty almost single handed this officer has been responsible for issuing a number of pamphlets on legal matters which have been of immense help to the units, thus making a tremendous contribution towards good discipline and better administration.

He has carried out an analysis of the disciplinary cases to find out the causes of the various offences and made valuable suggestions towards the preventive aspect. Consequently, offences like absence without leave and rash and negligent driving accidents have been curbed to a greater extent.

The number of civil suits in the Command are the maximum, because of the large number of civilians working in its stations/ units. By his high professional skill, meticulous planning and liaison with Government Law Officers and counsels, he has ensured that the cases are properly contested. His mature advice and tactful handling of the arbitration cases, which came up before the Air officer Commanding-in-Chief, has led to amicable settlement of disputes, saying large amounts to the State.

His equipment background has been an asset in his professional assignments. He has also taken pains to improve his knowledge of law and other subjects. His contribution in all fields of work has been exceptionally high throughout.

Wing Commander Nimmagadda Durga Nageswara Bhaskara Rao was commissioned in the IAF on 1 Jul 61. He has held a number of important appointments such as Firing Team Commander in an Operational Guided Weapons Squadron and Wing Electrical Officer of a Flying Station.

As Command Electrical Officer at Headquarters Maintenance Command, Wing Commander Bhaskara Rao was responsible for successfully coordinating the manufacture of a number of Ground Support Equipment required by operational units in record time. The Lashing equipment required for AN-12 aircraft, ground equipment for Mi-8 overhaul line and ground support equipment for Jaguar aircraft, refuelling rigs for the helicopter units and control box for the Hunter starting system are some of the important manufacturing projects successfully accomplished by him which resulted in saving of considerable foreign exchange.

By his initiative, drive and technical ingenuity he successfully established the repair facilities for Cheetah Oxygen Mask in record time by augmenting the resources under his command. This helped in clearing all the outstanding AOG demands against this item.

Throughout his career, Wing Commander Bhaskara Rao has displayed high degree of imagination, intelligence, professional ability and dedication to duty. He is a rare combination of an efficient engineer and skilled manager. His meticulous planning and foresight have paid dividends in saving valuable foreign exchange. His sustained efforts in consolidating the repair and manufacturing potential of Ground Support Equipment available with this Command have greatly contributed in not only meeting the demands of operational units effectively, but also in taking take up for manufacture of Ground Support Equipment for the newly inducted sophisticated aircraft.

For his dedication to duty and deep involvement, Rashtrapati is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Nimmagadda Durga Nageswara Bhaskara Rao.

Squadron Leader Deepak Chandra Bakshi (7795) Education was commissioned in the IAF on 19 Oct 63. During a span of 17 ½ years he has served on a number of instructional and important staff appointments. In his early service career he worked as an instructor and underwent a Postgraduate Diploma Course in Statistics and computerization at Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta.

In Apr 70 on completion of the above course, he was appointed to take over charge of newly-formed Information cum Data Cell of Directorate of Personnel (Officers). Within a short period, Sqn Ldr Bakshi, through initiative and drive, introduced innovations and improvised methodology which broughtin distinct qualitative improvements in the postings procedures and selection techniques. The data complex thus built through his hard labour and untiring efforts later provided a sound base for final computerization of the entire 'P' Staff Information system.

During 1971, anticipating the impending Indo-Pak conflict the Directorate of Personnel (Officers) embarked upon the preparation and implementation of Manpower Augmentation Plan for the operational units. Sqn Ldr Bakshi worked very hard for prolonged hours, sacrificing his personal comforts to execute with meticulous accuracy the augmentation of operational units facing the enemy during the conflict. The Manpower Augmentation Plan was a success and duly appreciated by the AOsC-in-C of Operational Commands. For his above outstanding contribution, Sqn Ldr Bakshi was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff.

After an exacting and sensitive tenure at Air HQ (Directorate of Personnel (Officers), the Officer worked as Staff Officer to AOCin-C No. 1 Operational Group/HQ Training Command for two years. In July 78 while working as Command Co-ord Officer at HQ Maintenance Command where the main thrust is on production activities he was detailed to reorganize the Data Complex at Command Headquarters for monitoring the production activities of Base Repair Depots/ Equipment Depots and evaluating their constraints leading to shortfalls and suggesting/implementing remedial measures which brought excellent results in the form of increased production. He established a powerful and effective monitoring machinery which kept a close watch on production activities of units and provided timely warning of replenishments. In order to achieve this task the officer has to put in prolonged hours of sustained hard work during and after office hours. Throughout, he showed rare sense of dedication to duty, loyalty and high level of professional competence.

Despite high pressure of work and heavy demands placed on him during the last decade, Sqn Ldr Bakshi with calm composure, remarkable competence and rare tenacity, has continued to work hard to the absolute satisfaction and much appreciation of his superiors. He has remained cheerful throughout and with his capable disposition shown extreme resolution and determination to produce both quantitative and qualitative results.

For his outstanding achievements and untiring zeal, ability and willingness t shoulder additional responsibilities with utmost speed and foresight, the Rashtrapati is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader

Deepak Chandra Bakshi.

Wing Commander Rajender Paul Singh was initially commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force as a Pilot in January, 1953, but because of lowered medical category due serious injuries suffered during a flying accident, he changed over to Administrative Branch.

Undaunted by his physical disability the officer adjusted himself to the demands of his new job as a ground duty officer. He con tinued to hold important and responsible appointments like Command Training Officer in Western Air Command and Command Works Officer in Central Air Command. In addition to staff jobs he has also performed his duties in various field appointments creditably. During his present tenure as Command Works Officer in Headquarters Maintenance Command, Wg Cdr RP Singh has been instrumental in bringing about excellent coordination between the Military Engineering Formations and user Air Force Stations. He had placed his demands for allotment of funds Capital Works by advanced planning and timely completion of pre-sanction formalities. The hundred percent execution of Capital Works Plan of Maintenance Command during his tenure as Command Works Officer was a noteworthy achievement.

For his devotion to duty and an indomitable will and unflinching determination, the President is please to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Rajendra Paul Singh.

Wg Cdr Madhav Saxena is on the posted strength of HQ Maintenance Command since 04 Mar 91 and has since been working as Staff Officer to AOC-in-C. In addition, he has also been looking after the Indigenisation Cell and computer set-up created in the Secretariat.

In the year 1990-91, supplies from the Soviet Union dropped to negligible levels, causing severe spares shortages at production units. AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command directed that a well planned indigenisation effort be made. He entrusted the responsibility of this critical project to Wg Cdr Saxena. The officer showed vision beyond his years in service. He identified core areas and also monitored and directed the progress towards vendor development, liaison with PSUs and close interaction with training-cum-technological research institutes. The remarkable foresight shown by Wg Cdr Saxena bore fruits within an unexpectedly short time span. Improvements in the availability of ASVs to operational units is a shining example. His efforts are specially praise-worthy as he could finally prove his contention that indigenised items will be more cost effective.

Wg Cdr Saxena devised an information system by which material planning, production progress and capacity utilisation can be monitored on day-to-day basis at step levels and also helped in efficient utilisation of scarce resources.

For his dedication to service, mature outlook and foresight, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Madhav Saxena.

Wg Cdr Amitava Chaudhuri was commissioned on 04 Jan 71. Presently he is appointed as Technical Planning Officer at HQ Maintenance Command.

He has made very effective contribution in the field of indigenisation of computers. Taking into account his expertise in the field of armament, the officer was given two special armament projects, viz. modification of MRSIV rocket pods for Iskara Aircraft and development of colour smoke emission pods for Kiran MK-II Aircraft. Wg Cdr Chaudhuri personally designed the various sub-systems and prepared 55 engineering drawings. Both these projects are in advanced stage of completion.

During his current tenure at HQ Maintenance Command, he has put in long hours of sustained hard work unmindful of personal comforts. His professionalism, dedication to duty and sincerity of purpose are exemplary and worth emulation.

For distinguished service of high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr A Chaudhuri.

Air Commodore Vipin Kumar (11950) Lgs was commissioned on 28 Jun 69 in the logistics branch of the Indian Air Force. In 32 years of distinguished service, he has held important command and staff appointments that include Chief Logistic Officer and Officer Commanding of an Air Stores Park. He is a graduate of College of Defence Management. For work of a very high order Chief of Air Staff in 1987 and Air Officer Commandingin-Chief Maintenance Command commended him in 1977 and 1979.

Air Cmde Vipin Kumar was posted to Headquarters Maintenance Command since 22 Mar 1999. As Senior Logistics Management Officer, he showed deep application and involvement in the continuous availability of all clothing items and streamlined provisioning methods to achieve it. This not only resulted in greater user satisfaction but also heavy savings in procurements. He was also closely associated in the formulation and implementation of plans for faster movement of all specialist vehicles by road trailers from/to operational units, which resulted in cutting down of transportation time and increased availability of these vehicles at repair depots and operating units. Similarly, he immensely contributed in streamlining procedures for budgetary booking and management of funds, ensuring near zero unserviceabilities for want of specialist vehicle spares, quick disposal of unwanted surplus stores etc.

Air Cmde Vipin Kumar is highly committed, dedicated and positive looking officer. He carries out the tasks in a systematic and methodical manner with clear foresight and correct planning in anticipating work needs and utilisation of resources coupled with exceptional professional and managerial capabilities.

For his professional excellence, dedication, leadership and distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Air Commodore Vipin Kumar.

Group Captain Yeranilly Tirurmala Vasudeo (15804) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned on 02 Jul 1979 in the Engineering Branch of IAF. During 25 years of distinguished service, he has held several important appointments, including staff appointment at Air Head quarter and Headquarter Maintenance Command. He is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College. He has been commended by the Chief of Air Staff. Presently, he is posted to a major transport Wing as Chief Engineering Officer.

As Deputy Director (Projects) at Air Headquarter from Oct 93 to May 97, Group Captain Vasudeo closely monitored large number of indigenous programmes, like Prithvi, Trishul, UAV, Lakshya and Phased Array Radar, including coordinating their field trials for IAF utilisation. During his tenure at Air Force Technical College from Jun 98 to Dec 99, he single handedly prepared the college for ISO-9001 certification, and got it too. With this, AFTC became the first training institute of IAF to be awarded such certification, thus becoming trendsetter for other training institutes of the IAF.

At Headquarter Maintenance Command, he played a stellar role during "Operation Parakaram" in steering the Base Repair Depots in the right direction to maintain high operational capability of the field units. His meticulous planning to route specialist teams from the Base Repair Depots to various Missile and Air Defence Squadrons considera bly improved serviceability and availability of the weapon systems in these units. He conceived and introduced several new computer projects, like Desktop Signaling System, computer hardware repair centre, Thin client computer configuration, and soft ware programming for Command operations centre. These efforts were a major step towards achieving a paperless office, and have given a big boost to the computerisation programme in Maintenance Command.

In all his appointments, Gp Capt Vasudeo has shown exceptional involvement and has worked beyond the call of normal duty. For his devotion to duty, he was commended by Chief of the Air Staff on 26 Jan 92. The officer has always excelled in all the service courses that he has undergone in India and abroad. He also earned the "Directing Staff" grading while undergoing the course at Defence Services Staff College.

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

Group Captain Zia Ahmad Rizvi (14968) Lgs was commissioned on 10 Jun 1977 in the Logistics (Lgs) Branch of IAF. In his 29 years of distinguished service, he has held several important appointments, which include Senior Logistics Officer of Flying Stations, Chief Logistics Officer/Dy C Lgs O at Equipment Depots (EDs) and staff appoint ments at Command and Air HQ. He has been awarded commendation by CAS in 1996 and by AOCin-Cs in years 1993 and 1998.

He is a hard core professional with very high level of integrity, dedication, devotion and assertive positive attitude. Through out his career, he effectively planned utilisation of available resources towards overall benefit of IAF and synergised the various TechnoLgs activities to ensure enhanced flying efforts both while serving in field units at Flying Stations and EDs as well as in staff assignments. He incorporated several effective result oriented procedures to enhance availability of spares ensuring higher fleet serviceability. As Dy C Lgs O EAC in largest ED, his systematic spares demand and supply analysis followed by interaction with HAL and major Base Repair Depot resulted in 30% reduction of Aircraft On Ground (AOG) in six months itself and also incidences of AOGs declined. During year 1998-99, provisioning activities of spares of few aircraft were decentralised necessitating automated processing of huge data. He willingly accepted this challenge and a comprehensive user friendly processing package in Oracle environment was developed in record time of 18 days which remained in use till change over to IMMOLS recently.

The Officer demonstrated outstanding managerial and professional skills even as young Flt Lt while serving at an ED, when due to change in stocking policy, Lakhs of Litres of aviation Oils were received in different packaging. He undertook in a time bound manner the uphill task of segregation, storage, sampling and introduc tion of testing B/F card system for costly/sensitive aircraft Oils which is still in vogue for life monitoring of stocks. While serving at flying bases, besides effective spares support to Sqn's higher fleet serviceability, he initiated various measures to ensure gainful utilisation of costly non-moving airborne spares by other bases.

At every unit of posting, he closely associated himself willingly with various welfare activities also. Standard of Preprimary School at Palam was enhanced in short span of time both in terms of facilities and teaching standards and was awarded "Best School" by HQ MC during 1995. His contribution, for setting up "Special Children School" at Bamrauli during 1991, "Adult Education" and "Family welfare" programmes at Bamrauli and at village near domestic airport New Delhi, adopted by AF Station Palam, needs special mention. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Zia Ahmad Rizvi.