Air Marshal Hemant Ramkrishna Chitnis was commissioned in the Air Force in 1944. Besides holding several important Command and Staff appointments during his 36 years of service with the Air Force, he underwent several professional courses in India and abroad. He did his Flying Instructor's Course in U.K., Defence Services Staff College Course at Wellington and Senior International Defence Management Course at USA. He made effective use of the knowledge and experience gained by him during these training courses in his various Service assignments.

He commanded with distinction an Operational Squadron, a Flying Station and the Air Force Academy. His important Staff assignments at Air Headquarters include Joint Director Intelligence, Director of Flight Safety, Director of Training and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans).

As Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans), he was responsible for forecasting, planning and formulating Air Staff requirements for new aircraft and equipment for the IAF. He made significant contribution in the preparation of the Five-Year (1978-83) Financial Role on Plan for the IAF and in planning for the Acquisition of Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft and Medium Transport Aircraft, and the Trials of Various Inertial Navigational Equipments.

As Commandant, Air Force Academy, he meticulously planned and organised his tasks and resources and ensured a high standard of training without a single fatal accident. On taking over as Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Training Command, he re-oriented the training in the IAF on the basis of his vast experience as Instructor. While he ensured the highest standards of training necessary for the Operational Units, he also achieved the lowest wastage rate among trainee pilots. As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Maintenance Command, he was responsible for the overhaul and repair of aircraft, aeroengines, airborne and ground equipments specialist vehicles. Through effective management of manpower and material resources, he significantly improved the output various Base Repair and Equipment Depots in his Command and thus ensured effective serviceability his Operational Units.

Air Marshal Hemant Ramkrishna Chitnis has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exception order.

Air Marshal Balwant Wickram Chauhan, AVSM (3352) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force in 1946. He was graded an above average Pilot on completion of his flying training and started his flying career on transport aircraft. He has so far flown 25 different types of aircraft including jets.

This Officer spent the early years of his flying career in Air Headquarters Communications Squadron where he was engaged in flying VVIPs within and outside India. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian Air Force Officer to obtain 'A' Category on transport aircraft. He is also the only officer of the Indian Air Force who has served with the Queen's Flight of the Royal Air Force. He was the leader of the Team for supply dropping trials from AVRO 748 aircraft in J & K and Ladakh. Air Marshal Chauhan has held various Command and Staff appointments with credit. As a member of the Aircrew Examining Board in the early days after its formation, he applied his professional skill and knowledge of aircraft in evolving sound testing procedures for aircrew, thereby ensuring the highest standards of flying amongst the flying crew of the Indian Air Force.

He has also served with distinction at an important establishment where, in addition to his normal duties involving supervision of operations, technical, equipment and administrative departments of his organisation, Air Marshal Chauhan undertook a number of difficult and risky operations, particularly in the 1971 operations against Pakistan when he flew 34 hours on special operational missions.

As Commandant of Air Force Academy, Air Marshal Chauhan with meticulous planning and utilisation of manpower, aircraft and equipment, ensured a very high standard of training.

With vast experience as an instructor both in the air and on the ground and having held important assignments, Air Marshal Chauhan, as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, reshaped the training in the Indian Air Force and achieved laudable results. He has been instrumental in successfully increasing the intakes at the training establishments. Over his entire career as a Pilot and as a Staff Officer, Air Marshal Balwant Wickram Chauhan has established himself as a leader of men, an organiser and an administrator of a very high ability. He has always worked with a spirit of dedication and exemplary devotion to duty.

Air Marshal Balwant Wickram Chauhan has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Erasseri Pathayaprayil Radhakrishnan Nair (3837) Flying (Navigator) joined the Air Force in April, 1950 and has completed 33 years of distinguished service. He has an excellent record of flying, with the highest flying rating of Category 'A' and Qualified Instructors' Category 'A2'. He has command the prestigious Unit Nav and Signal School. He has been Air Crew Examiner and has flown over 4500 hours in various roles like Maritime Support, Transport Support and Instruction.

In 973, he was specially selected to be the Base Commander of Air Force Academy and was directly responsible for not only administration of the station but also the rapid build up of the technical and operational facilities by the target date set for the inauguration of the Academy by the President, a task which he accomplished under the most trying conditions.

Subsequently Air Marshal Nair was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer of Headquarters Maritime Air Operations to shoulder the new and most important responsibility of planning and coordination of Air Operations in consultation with the Navy and executing the task of heli support to the ONGC, which he has been expanding at a very fast rate.

In December, 1975, after graduating from the National Defence College, he was appointed as the Senior Air and Admin Staff Officer, Headquarters Maintenance Command. Due to his personal example, tremendous capacity for sustained hard work and methodical approach, he established harmonious and effective management of men and material, which had direct bearing on serviceability and out put of operational units in the Air Force. After a stint as Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College, he was posted as Air Officer Incharge Administration. During his short stay of just eight months as AOA, he excelled in his spheres of responsibility covering organization, works services, legal duties, security and accounting services of the Air Force.

In his present appointment, as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Air Marshal Nair has brought about significant improvements in the quality of training in various training establishments. This has resulted in qualitative improvements in the limited human resources of the Air Force.

Air Marshal Nair in his long and distinguished career in the Air Force, has displayed qualities of dynamic leadership, and organizational, managerial and professional competence of a very high order.

Air Marshal Erasseri Pathayaprayil Radhakrishnan Nair has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Teshter Jall Master AVSM (7224) F (P) was commissioned in the IAF on 09 Mar 63 as a Fighter Pilot. He has to his credit more than 2500 hrs of flying on aircraft of both Soviet and Western origin. During his distinguished career he has held several important field and staff appointments. Apart from commanding an operational Squadron and an ADDC, he has commanded a premier fighter Base. He has contributed in the Field of EW and Defence Production when posted in staff appointment at Air HQ. He was Air Attaché at Washington before taking over the command of College of Defence Management. Prior to his present appointment as Inspector General (Flight Safety & Inspection) since Oct 1999, he held the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of an Operational Command.

As Commandant of College of Defence Management, a Class 'A' Joint Services Institution, he brought about recognition to the college at the national and international level thereby enhancing its image. During his tenure an annual seminar was instituted at the national level. The recognition of the College at international level is evident from the fact that representation from friendly countries was for the first time at Major General level. With his zeal he got the long-standing proposal for permanent accommodation of the college cleared which will result in the move of CDM from its present temporary accommodation to its permanent location in the near future,

As SASO, of an Operational Command he was responsible for the smooth induction of the SU-30 fleet. With foresight and innovative planning he ensured that the Squadron achieved its full potential and was available for operations during the Kargil crisis. As SASO he was responsible for Air Power Demonstration both at Pokhran and Mumbai. The Vayu Shakti at Pokhran in Mar 99 had for the first time air to air missiles firing and full depiction of an air land battle. These events having been conducted safely speaks highly of the professionalism of the Officer. He was also tasked with the move of Command HQ to a new location, which he completed in meticulously under adverse circumstances. The HQ becoming operational in a short duration paid dividends during Op Safed Sagar, which was fully conducted from the new location of the HQ. He fine tuned Air Defence of Command area of operation along with revitalizing Pechora units and C&R system wherein a new CRC was introduced in the Gujarat area and Air Defence of Mumbai strengthened.

As IG (FS&I) he has put in considerable effort for accident prevention with special reference on accidents due to human error and technical defects. He has also been responsible for introduction of Role Specific Inspection and a new pattern for selection of units for annual awards. This will not only enhance the Op potential of the IAF but also foster air warrior qualities. During this period he was also a member of the Task Force on Review of Defence Management from May to Sep 2000, a task he carried out in addition to his regular duties.

Air Marshal Teshter Jall Master AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Bijoy Krishna Pandey AVSM VM (8990) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 25 Dec 64. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. During his distinguished service of over 38 years, he had held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Director DICOST and Director Joint (Ops) Planning at Air HQ and Deputy Commandant NDA. He has also served as the Air Attaché, Embassy of India at Kabul during the three most turbulent years in the recent history of war ravaged Afghanistan. Presently, he is the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, IAF since 14 Feb 03.

AirMshlPandeyhasrendereddistinguished service in several important appointments. He has successfully commanded Air Force Station, Agra, one of the largest operational bases in the IAF, which sustains high intensityflying operations throughout the year. During his tenure as Deputy Commandant NDA, the Academy celebrated its Golden Jubilee, an infinitely complex exercise during which the NDA hosted the Vice President of India as the Chief Guest, a large number of dignitaries and thousands of alumni of NDA. As Operations Manager in Aviation Research Centre (ARC), he initiated many reforms/measures, which had a positive impact on the work ethos of the Air Wing. The fleet modernisation and other futuristic projects were handled by him very systematically and efficiently which have ensured smooth implementation of various projects of importance to national security. Air Mshl Pandey was awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) in 1971 for displaying superb professional skill and courage in saving valuable lives and an aircraft. He was awarded AVSM in 2001 for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

As AOC-in-C, Training Command he has implemented several measures directed at qualitative changes, having positive impact on the training philosophy and professional standards in the Air Force. He was also responsible for the conduct of the prestigious International Air Show 2003 at Bangalore as also, a number of other major exercises to promote awareness of the IAF amongst the youth in South India.

Air Mshl BK Pandey has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Subhash Bhojwani AVSM VSM (9734) F(P) was commissioned in the IAF as a Fighter Pilot on 16 October 1965. He has flown over 4500 hours on single engined aircraft, which include 31 combat mission in December 1971 in the Western Sector, for which he earned 'Mention-in-Dispatches'. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and one of only two IAF pilots holding QFI cat A-1. For his distinguished services, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1993 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1997. A graduate of RAF Staff College and Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies, Air Marshal Bhojwani has held prestigious field, staff and instructional appointments including CO of two fighter squadrons, Chief Operations Officer of flying station, instructional assignments at DSSC and College of Air Warfare, Air Officer Commanding of a premier fighter base, Director Ops Offensive and Air Staff Inspection, Commandant Air Force Academy and Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of Western Air Command, before being appointed as AOC-in-C Training Command since Jul 2004.

As Director Operations (Offensive), he systematised WWR management and measures to optimise availability of weapon and fuses (Project Checkmate). During Kargil operations, he was member of Core Group at Air HQ and was nominated as media spokesman for IAF in which capacity he brought into public focus the crucial role of air power in that conflict. During 2000-02, as commandant Air Force Academy, he restructured the training to optimise existing resources and improves training standards.

At the height of Op Parakram, Air Marshal Bhojwani was appointed SASO, WAC, where he was instrumental in bringing the entire operational assets of the Command to a very high state of readiness. During his two year tenure, he oversaw induction and operationalisation of new technology equipment such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Bison, Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR), Mi-35 upgrade and Integrated Command Air Tasking System (ICATS), as well as expansion of operational use of computer and data networks. The smooth conduct of several major exercises and flawless completion of Op Meghdoot tasks bear testimony to his conceptualisation and management skills. His standard of staff work and related activities has set a benchmark for others to follow.

As AOC-in-C Training Command Air Mshl Bhojwani involved himself in the restructuring of training of airmen and the establishment of the AF Engineering College.

Air Marshal Subhash Bhojwani AVSM VSM has throughout rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale AVSM VM (11630) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 02 June 1968. In a distinguished career spanning four decades, the Air Marshal has flown more than 3700 hrs on various fighter and trainer aircraft. He has had a rich and varied experience covering a gamut of operational, staff and instructional tenures. He is a Cat A2 Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. The Air Officer has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and a prestigious Air Base operating Jaguars and Mi-8 aircraft. Besides instructional tenures at Air Force Academy and Flying Instructors' School, the he has served as a qualified flying instructor on deputation to the Iraqi Air Force. The Air Marshal is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, an alumnus of Air War College, USA and a Fellow of the Aeronautical Society of India. He has been a Directing Staff at the Staff College and an Inspector at Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI). He has served as Defence Attaché in the Embassy of India Cairo, Egypt. He has also been Air Advisor to Chief of the Air Staff. During the Indo-Pak war of 1971 he flew several operational air-to-ground attack missions. For his professionalism and distinguished service, the Air Marshal has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1990 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2000.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations, the Air Marshal had played an important role in planning and execution of air operations, including Op Parakram. He had coordinated the induction of the SU 30 MKI, Embraer aircraft and the Air-to-Air Refueller aircraft. His meticulous planning facilitated the enhancement of UAV capabilities of the IAF and formulation of tactics for Beyond Visual Range combat. He was the architect of a large number of international exercises conducted during this period. He was instrumental in conceptualization, planning and operationalising the strategic component of lAF's weapon inventory.

As Senior Air Staff Officer and subsequently Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Training command, the Air Marshal's vision of a futuristic Training Command has led to establishment of dedicated Aerospace and IT faculties. Besides ensuring smooth implementation of a novel concept of the Just in Time Training for officers and airmen and Distance Education Scheme for in-service courses, he was the guiding force in streamlining the pilots' training.

Air Marshal Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Gurnam Singh Chaudhry AVSM VSM ADC (11870) F (P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 29 Dec 1968. He is a Flying Instructor, an Experiment Test Pilot and has flown 4300 hours on several fighter, bomber, transport aircraft and helicopters. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College. The Air Marshal participated in 1971 IndoPak war and flew a number of operational missions. He has held varied appointments which include command of a frontline fighter Squadron, Chief Operations Officer and Air Officer Commanding of prestigious fighter bases. The Air Marshal also served as a qualified flying instructor on deputation to the Govt of Iraq. He was on the staff of Defence Services Staff College

and was one of the founder members of HQ IDS. His other important staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection) and Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of HQ SWAC. He was awarded VSM in 1992, AVSM in 1999 and was appointed Air ADC to the President of India in 2007.

As the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection), through meticulous inspections, the Air Marshal contributed towards sustaining high standards of Air Operations, Maintenance and Administrative functioning of the entire IAF. He also revamped Quality Assurance Service functions and re-worked many equipment specifications. As SASO, the Air Officer managed the complete Air Operations in the South Western Sector and was instrumental in integrating SU-30 MKIs and other newly inducted systems into the War Plans. He was also instrumental in conceptualizing, planning and conducting a large number of joint exercises including Exercise 'Gagan Shakti' in Sep 06. His dedicated efforts made Net Centric Warfare Capability a reality in the South Western Air Command.

As the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command, through relentless efforts he ensured a high standard of training and was instrumental in implementation of the new pattern of training. Successful conduct of “Aero-India 07", a mega-event of international proportion and repute, was also executed under his leadership in an exemplary manner.

Air Marshal Gurnam Singh Chaudhry AVSM VSM ADC has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Wing Commander Nawal Naranjan Dhir (2752) Education has been senior training Officer (Non-Technical) in addition to his duties as Command Education Officer at Headquarters Training Command since Jul 1966. During this period, he has been responsible for achieving high standards in Non-Technical Training of officers, Flight Cadets and airmen in this Command, besides proving an all round educational coverage. While handling this dual task, he has displayed a high degree of academic and professional knowledge, zeal and enthusiasm. His guidance on educational problems has always been original and of a high caliber.

Specifically, he has been responsible for introducing the latest techniques in teaching English and improving the standard of airmen recruits at various Ground Training Schools. He has also been instrumental in revising and making up-to-date the various syllabi for non-technical trades.

His sense of dedication has been beyond the normal call of duty. Despite his personal discomforts and the handicap of a restricted medical category, he has always put in sustained hard work, showing great organizing ability and high sense of responsibility.

Wing Commander Ved Prakash Misra was commissioned in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch in July, 1949. He successfully completed the Defence Services Staff College Course in 1957-58 and has held few important appointments since.

He was Assistant Judge Advocate General (Air) at Air Headquarter prior to his posting to Headquarters Training Command as the Command Judge Advocate in October 1956. As an A.J.A.G (Air) at Air Headquarters Wing Commander Misra was in the process of drafting a new set of Air Force Act Rules. Notwithstanding change of appointment, he continued applying himself to this task and completed the draft in December 1966. The draft has since been approved by the Government and is under issue. In October 1966 when Wing Commander Misra took over the duties of the Command Judge Advocate, a large number of disciplinary cases and courts of inquiry proceeding were pending finalization. He worked hard not only to clear these arrears but also ensured that the new cases received due attention. In so doing, he investigated and removed the causes for delay. He analysed disciplinary cases and traced reasons which led to the commission of avoidable offences. By delivering lectures at stations and units under Training Command he helped in promoting better knowledge of Air Force law and a feeling of greater responsibility for reducing disciplinary cases by preventive action.

Though not part of his duties as a Command Judge Advocate, Wing Commander Misra painstakingly studied civil law, and the practice and procedures of civil courts, and by timely intervention and advice ensured that the interests of Service and the Government in any civil suit or proceedings did not suffer. He also made himself fully conversant with matters of disciplinary proceedings against civil Government servant and advised the Commanding Officers on correct procedures in respect of such proceedings. He wrote and issued training pamphlets giving comprehensive information on the subject and on Air Force law for the use of officers and cadets under training.

Wing Commander Misra has all along taken great pains to keep abreast with the latest trends in legal thinking. As a result his opinions have earned him a reputation for impartiality and high standard of judgment.

Squadron Leader Ranganath had a brilliant and distinguished academic career, which included two gold medals in the LLB Examination. As Officer-in-Charge Personnel-1 at Headquarters Training Command, he has handled the duties and jobs entrusted to him with utmost cheerfulness, diligence and competence. He was trained on aerial photography and has made significant contributions in the modi fication of two aircraft for aerial photographic roles. With his deep and clear knowledge of Air Force Law, Civil Law and various rules and regulations affecting personnel, he has been performing the duties connected with Courts Martial as well.

220970-H Master Warrant Officer Pritham Pal Singh Mechanical Transport Driver has been working as Mechanical Transport Officer at HQ Training Command (Unit) since June 1984. The MT Section of this unit has large fleet of transports and provides MT coverage to a large number of units including HQ Training Command, IAF. Apart from this, the unit has to meet the additional task for providing staff cars to all visiting VIPs and high dignitaries from other formations. Inspite of acute shortage of experienced and qualified MTD tradesmen and transports, he has managed to achieve a high standard of maintenance and serviceability state of transports. By his superior planning ability and intelligence, he has always handled the difficult task very carefully and wisely. Recently, through his own efforts he has introduced a modern type of Daily Inspection point to facilitate the MTDs to carry out DI of MT vehicles quickly and comfortably.

In a short span of time he was instrumental in devising procedures for control and coordination of MT section particularly the large number of cars on its fleet. During the tenure he has achieved highest rate of fuel economy by means of his superior planning and coordination of MT runs to the maximum. On many occasions he has worked from morning till late hours in the night in order to meet the urgent and important task of the section.

MWO PP Singh has carried out his duties with exceptional enthusiasm and intelligence. With his exceptional ability and deep knowledge of his trade, he has brought the section to the highest standard of efficiency in all respects.

He has been constantly guiding and training his subordinates not only from supervisory level but also keeping close contact at the working level. For his exceptional work he was commended by Air Officer-in-charge Administration on 15 Aug 76 and by Chief of the Air Staff on 26 Jan 79.

For dedication and devotion to his duties and exceptional ability, the President is pleased to award the Vishisht Seva Medal to 220970-H Master Warrant Officer Pritham Pal Singh.

Wing Commander Yadvinder Singh Walia was commissioned in the Administrative Branch in Dec 67. He has held a variety of appointments which include Station Adjutant, Station Security Officer at Flying Stations, Assistant Provost Marshal and Staff Officer.

As Assistant Provost Marshal, he ensured smooth and efficient movement of a large number of convoys. He also played a leading role in handling movement and flawless piloting of a number of foreign dignitaries and VVIPs. By excellent planning and limited resources, he reduced the number of outstanding cases of apprehensions and absence without leave. His tact, sense of involvement and mature judgment helped him establish cordial relations between the Air Force and the civil police and the local population.

At Adampur, he with his cordial relations with local civil population and the civil police, succeeded in unearthing a gang of thieves which had been operating from outside the AF Station for a very long time.

At Nagpur, again, he established a cordial working link between the Air Force and the civil authorities. He laid the net and succeeded in catching red-handed a civilian MTD who was involved in stealing petrol and diesel from service vehicles for a couple of years. He with his superior provost skill and contacts succeeded in apprehending six cases of desertion and AWOL of a serious nature.

In Mar 85, he was appointed Staff Officer to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command in recognition of his professional competence.

For his extraordinary achievements, integrity, dedication and exceptional leadership qualities, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Yadvinder Singh Walia.

Group Captain D Mathew (13039) Aeronautics Engineering (Electronics) has been on the posted strength of HQ Training Command since 02 April 96. He has been in charge of the transport, helicopter and Iskra fleets.

Group Captain D Mathew is a dynamic professional and a methodical officer. His exceptional planning skills have contributed towards maximising aircraft availability at Flying Training Schools. He has always planned ahead and projected in time the requirement of the fleets to Air HQ and to his superiors in Command HQ to ensure provisioning of spares and to meet other repair/servicing requirements. He has also been interacting directly with the BRDS, repair agencies and other formations to monitor progress and ensure that technical requirements of each aircraft are attended to. He is quick in decision making and does not allow any time to be lost. This has resulted in achieving a very high average serviceability for a number of fleets. The average rectification/inspection percentages were brought down significantly by effective monitoring and proper staggering, despite acute problems of spares in most of the fleets.

Group Captain D Mathew believes in good human values and inter personal relations. He is courteous in dealing with his colleagues and subordinates and very respectful towards every one. His sincerity, devotion to duty and hard work is worthy of emulation. He is continuously working towards attainment of higher goals.

For his devotion to duty, sincerity towards service and hard work, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain D Mathew.

Group Captain Narayanan Vijayakumar (12725) Accts was commissioned in IAF on 26 Jun 71 and on that occasion was awarded CAS Medal, Best All-rounder Trophy and the President's Plaque for Best Officer trainee. Since then the officer held several important and varied appointments in his career. He has been commended earlier by the CAS and AOC-in-C. He has authored many papers and has developed a number of softwares on Public Fund and Non-public Fund subjects for the benefit of officers posted to field Units. The officer was additionally tasked by Air HQ on the Revision of AF Officers Appraisal System, where he was the team leader during 95-98. His revised designs of the Appraisal System were implemented in IAF with effect from Jan 98. The officer is highly qualified academically and professionally and is sought regularly as a guest speaker in many AF Training Institutions.

Since his posting as C Accts O to HQ TC with effect from 17 Jun 98, Gp Capt N Vijayakumar has been excelling in each area of his function. He took a large number of measures to closely monitor the state of management accounting of Non-Public Funds. As a result, there has been significant improvement in this generally weak area of administration. He streamlined the budgetary control system on locally controlled heads and ensured availability of sufficient funds to all Stations/Units. He was instrumental in introducing an effective monitoring system for the AOC-in-C on the delegation of financial powers exercised by the Staff officers at HQ TC. A noteworthy achievement is his compilation of all accounting rules, regulations and procedures on ATG, which have been issued to all Training Institutions for guidance and adherence.

Gp Capt N Vijayakumar personally designed and implemented the LAN for admin branch at HQ TC. Another significant performance by the officer is the achievement of a record lowest figure of outstanding audit objections for Training Command for AAC 9899 which was possible due to his close interaction with all audit agencies and relentless pursuit of a number of cases with the audit and Air HQ. In the management of Command Welfare Fund, he devised newer methods of budgeting, processing of applications for grants, control of expenditure and made available more funds of welfare measures to stations. As PMC of the Command Officers' Mess during the past one year, he has supervised the renovation of various facilities and has successfully planned and organised major parties, important functions and VVIPvisits in the Mess.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Narayanan Vijayakumar.

Air Commodore Bidanda Chengapa Nanjapa (13246) F (P) is on the posted strength of HQ Training Command (TC) Air Force from 07 May 99, as Senior Flying Training Officer -II (SFTO II) in the Flying Training Section. From 03 Jan 2001 to 09 Mar 2001 he functioned as the Chief Flying Training Officer (CFTO). Air Cmde Nanjapa has been a Directing Staff in Tactics and Combat Development Establishment, Commanding Officer of a MiG-21 Bis Squadron, and the Chief Operations Officer at Air Force Station, Pathankot. He is an M.Sc. and M.Phil. in Defence Studies, besides being a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and the College of Combat.

In his capacity as SFTO-II, has initiated and directed the revision of flying training syllabi and the change of training schedule at Flying Instructors School, the revision of flying and ground training syllabus of all Flying Training Establishments (FTE) under TC. He was instrumental in making the case for Stage-III training and the Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) to be placed under HQ TC, and in working out the manner in which, training would be re-organised in TC during phased induction of the AJT.

He was involved in planning and finalising the increased display schedules and work-up of the Suryakiran team into a nine aircraft team with synchronous pair manoeuvres. During the final run-up to Aero India 2001, as officiating CFTO Air Cmde Nanjapa was involved in planning and overseeing the Static and flying display and Flight Safety of all aircraft taking part, planning and monitoring the movement of all participating aircraft, planning and orchestrating all VVP/VIP moves and supervising the large movement of visiting aircraft. The impeccable conduct of the show with complete safety testifies to the efficient supervision by Air Cmde Nanjapa. As Officiating CFTO, he has initiated measures to ensure that there is no compromise in quality from the FTEs. He has motivated the key supervisors in the FTEs to implement the values enshrined in the directions of the Chief of Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding-inChief, in improving the quality of flying training, and is constantly suggesting ways and means of improving flying and ground training as well as the working of HQ TC. He has been able to motivate all officers and staff in the Flying training section towards a higher quality of work, turnout and dedication by using a judicious mix of reward and example. His influence towards ensuring higher efficiency extends beyond the flying training section to other allied and support sections.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Air Commodore Bidanda Chengapa Nanjapa.

Wing Commander Thazhe Para Hari Prasad (17036) Administration was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the 1AF on 29 Dec 1982. Presently, he is on the posted strength of HQ Training Command, 1AF since 23 Apr 2001 as the Command Judge Advocate.

Wg Cdr Hari Prasad has introduced a new work-ethos in the Command Legal Section. Instead of working in a compartmentalized fashion, he has encouraged all other sections to interact and seek the advice of legal section before taking decisions on major issues, which has ensured issue of foolproof and legally sound orders/directions. Wg Cdr Hari Prasad has institutionalized the monitoring of civil suits in the Training Command. His approach of shouldering the responsibility of civil cases by legal officers, rather than leaving them to the concerned units and sections has paid rich dividends in defending civil cases. He possesses intellectual honesty of the highest degree and always renders correct, complete and appropriate legal advice to his superiors.

Wg Cdr Hari Prasad has an astute sense of comprehending and identifying problem areas. While analysing the observations by civil authorities on unauthorised possession of liquor by Service personnel he was quick to point out the anomaly existing between the Service rules and the State Excise laws leading to the perceived violation of State Excise Laws. When the Andhra Pradesh Government called up AF personnel to pay profession tax, against the usual norms, he carried out an analytical examination of the situation and suggested the solution to exclude Service personnel from the purview of the order of the State Govt. To equip the Air Force officers in dealing with legal problems, Wg Cdr Hari Prasad has also mooted the idea of starting a Paralegal course.

Wg Cdr Hari Prasad continues updating his legal knowledge. He has used his higher legal qualification to the hilt in his appointment. It is a testimony of his professional competence that in the past about five years, Wg Cdr Hari Prasad has been often selected as the Judge Advocate to conduct the Court Martial especially in the complex cases. All the Court Martials conducted by him were logically concluded and the decisions whenever challenged were upheld by the High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.

Soft-spoken and mature in his dealings, Wg Cdr Hari Prasad leaves an indelible impression on the others. Always ready to shoulder additional responsibility cheerfully, he keeps his subordinates well motivated for any responsibility. The legal activism innovated by him in identifying problems and rectifying them in administrative and training matters is evolving into a new work culture, motivating his juniors to foster professionalism.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Thazhe Para Hari Prasad.

Group Captain Ajay Masson (14926) Administration was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the IAF on 10 Jun 1977. An Air Traffic Controller of very high calibre, the officer achieved 'Category A', the highest category for professional competence within ten years of service. During his chequered career of more than 27 years, he has held diverse appointments, which includes the posts of Senior Air Traffic Control Officer, Air Force Examiner for Air Traffic Control Officers, Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Personnel Staff Officer at Headquarters Training Command, IAF. A thorough professional, the officer in 1989 was adjudged as the 'Best Air Traffic Controller' in the IAF. An alumni of Defence Services Staff College and College of Defence Management, the officer for his professional ability and distinguished service was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff on 08 Oct 1999.

As Chief Administrative Officer at Air Force Station, Jalahalli this de-fatigable officer with total dedication and perseverance, demonstrated an exceptional capacity to work towards creating innovative infrastructural changes, resulting into improvement, in overall quality of life of the station personnel.

As Senior Personnel Staff Officer at HQ TC IAF, his excellent organisational and inter-personal skill ensured effective and timely completion of allocated tasks. The officer displayed highest standards of professionalism and foresight towards ensuring absolutely flawless and timely augmentation of human resources and foolproof security measures for Aero India-05, a mega event organised by Ministry of Defence. During his tenure the number of outstanding movements and disciplinary cases have shown a marked downward trend. The officer has an astute sense of comprehending and identifying problem areas. Being proactive in problem solving approach, he took keen personal interest to ensure error free and timely submission of Appraisal Reports, and effective implementation of the latest policies on 'USTAD' and revised assessment scheme for PBORs.

For his unflinching devotion to duty, professionalism and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Ajay Masson.