Air Marshal Trilok Nath Ghadiok was commissioned in the Flying (Pilot) Branch of the Indian Air Force in March, 1943. He saw action in the J & K Operation 1947 when as a Flight Commander of a transport support Squadron, his courage and valour won him a Vir Chakra. Later, he distinguished himself as Commander of a transport base responsible for air maintenance in the Jammu and Kashmir and Leh area. His personal example, perseverance, meticulous planning and unity of purpose led to better interServices relationship and enabled the Wing to accomplish its task with unqualified success.

In his long Service career, he competently held many staff appointments of Command of Wings, Senior Air Staff Officer of an operational command, Chief Instructor of the Defence Services Staff College and Director of Personnel at Air Headquarters. During January 1970 to September 1973, he was the Air Attaché in our Embassy in Moscow, where he acquitted himself creditably. A graduate of the National Defence College, he is today its Commandant.

Air Marshal Trilok Nath Ghadiok has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Achutha Viswanathan was commissioned in 1949 in the Technical Armament Branch of the Air Force. During his service career he has held several important staff appointments with distinction. As Director of Armament with his flair for design and development work, he achieved commendable results in the indigenisation of explosive stores and development of a rocket system. He has also helped in successfully completing a number of development projects. By his constant endeavour for indigenistion, he has effected considerable savings in foreign exchange and reduced dependence on foreign aid. As Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of Eastern Air Command, he was instrumental in achieving substantial improvement in aircraft serviceability by his initiative and guidance for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1976.

As Air Officer Engineering and Systems of Maintenance Command, he introduced a number of new measures of quality control which paid dividends and improved the overall production capability of the Base Repair Depots. By his relentless efforts and perseverance he has succeeded in augmenting the production substantially at the Base Repair Depots.

Air Vice Marshal Achutha Viswanathan has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Davendra Nath Gupta was commissioned in the Medical Branch of the Air Force on 6th August, 1943. In 1948, as medical officer of a Transport Squadron, he was closely associated with para-trooper training and casualty evacuation in the Kashmir operations. He became a graded medical specialist in 1952 and subsequently, a Member of the Royal College of Physicians, London and Edinburgh. He was also awarded the Greig medal for his outstanding performance in the DTM&H examination (1975) of Edinburgh University. He became a classified specialist in 1958 and was appointed the first adviser in medicine in the Indian Air Force in 1962. He was specially selected to command Air Force Hospital Kanpur in addition to his professional duties. During his command from 1963 to 1967, this Hospital achieved the distinction of being one of the finest in the Armed Forces, and rendered yeoman service to war casualties during the Indo-Pak Conflict, 1965. In recognition of his outstanding service during this period, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff. After his distinguished service as Assistant Director of Medical Services in two Infantry Divisions, he was appointed Assistant Director of Medical Services and posted as Medical Adviser in our High Commission at London from November 1968 to February, 1972. On return to India, he was specially selected to undergo the National Defence College course in 1972. He was thereafter appointed Principal Medical Officer, Headquarters, Western Air Command in May, 1973. Later, he was appointed Director of Medical Services (Air) in the rank of Air Vice Marshal. Under his command, the medical services of the Air Force have made great strides. Stringent measures have been adopted for implementing utmost economy without compromising quality of medical care. His personal attention to details have resulted in streamlining of medical board procedures and review of medical standards. Under his guidance, an overall improvement has been achieved in 1976 in controlling the incidence of preventable diseases and lowering of sickness rate. During his service career, besides distinguishing himself through brilliant academic achievements, he has exhibited outstanding professional competence and administrative ability. In the various professional and administrative appointments that he held, he has been meticulous, uncompromising and unrelenting where standards of health and hygiene are concerned thus setting a very high example of medical ethics, code of conduct and performance.

Air Vice Marshal Davendra Nath Gupta has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.