Group Captain Prakash Chandra Thakur was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in March, 1958. During his service of over 31 years, he has held several key appointments at operational wings as well as Air Headquarters. Gp Capt Thakur had also held the post of Officer Commanding, Air Force Liaison Team at Paro in Bhutan during 1969-71 where he exhibited outstanding organizing ability. Presently, he is the Joint Director Organisation (Ceremonials) at Air Headquarters.

As Joint Director (Ceremonials), he has displayed high degree of involvement, foresight and detailed planning due to which every ceremonial commitment undertaken by the IAF was executed with precision and dignity enhancing the image of the Air Force. He successfully accomplished the priority job of bringing about improvements in uniform of Air Force personnel.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Prakash Chandra Thakur.

Air Commodore Sudhakar Balkrishna Pendharkar was commissioned on 01 Jun 60.

During his distinguished service of 29 years, he was put on instructional duties for six years besides serving as Accounts Officer.

Whilst at Air Force Central Accounts Office as Officer Incharge EDP system Design Team, he helped in achieving a high order of satisfaction amongst officers and airmen. As Command Accounts Officer at Eastern Air Command, he introduced and operated Centralised Investment Scheme for all NPFs under EAC, which produced rich dividends. The staff visit procedure laid down by Air Cmde Pendharkar for accounts staff visits has made it possible to effectively review the Public and Non-public fund accounts in a very short time.

For his outstanding services of the most exceptional order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Air Commodore Sudhakar Balkrishna Pendharkar.

Group Captain Sahab Prasad Varma was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January 1962.

He specialized in internal medicine and was awarded the degree of MD (Gen Med) in 1973 from Pune University. A versatile officer who further specialized in Cardiology and was awarded doctoral degree in DM (Cardiology) in 1983.

Presently, he is posted at Air Force Central Medical Establishment, New Delhi as Senior advisor (Medicine and Cardiology). The medical categorization policy has been revised and updated with his recommendation in 1988, thus providing benefits to several aircrew to retain their flying category. His departmental project on IHD (Asymptomatic) cases has resulted in retrieval of more than 45% of highly skilled Aircrew back to full flying category thus saving crores of rupees to the national exchequer. Due to his constant zeal, AFCME has attained the status of Aviation Cardiac Research and Referral Centre and centralized agency for cardiac ailments amongst aircrew for proper follow up.

For the distinguished service of most exceptional nature, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt Sahab Prasad Varma.

Group Captain Chittaranjan Sharma was commissioned in the IAF in May 1961.

During 28 years of distinguished service, Gp Capt Sharma has held various prestigious appointments in India and abroad and has always acquainted himself creditably and with distinction.

As CO of an ED, he has infused greater degree of sensitivity in the management of materials and spares. He has successfully undertaken survey of about 50,000 reapair ables held in storage over a long period and carried out complete reorganization of ED inventory by introducing concept of 'moving' and 'nonmoving' spares in the layout of store houses.

For his outstanding contribution and distinguished service, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt Chittaranjan Sharma.

Group Captain Surinder Mohan Nagpal is held on the posted strength of a vital Base Repair Depot since 02 Mar 87. On 15 Apr 88, he was given the charge of the Engine Overhauling Branch of the Depot. During this period, he has been directly responsible for the production of TV2-117A and AI-20 series aeroengines at the Depot.

In Aug 89 due to involvement of Mi-8 fleet in operation 'Pawan', there was further increase in the demand for TV2-117A engines to keep the fleet operational. A stage came when Gp Capt SM Nagpal himself took direct control of the TV2-117A overhaul line as there was mass exodus of experienced technicians.

The Engineering Branch was also entrusted with the responsibility to establish the overhaul facilities for AI-20D series engines (of Sutluj Aircraft). He was able to undertake this additional task also despite innumerable constraints.

For his organizational and managerial capabilities, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt Surinder Mohan Nagpal.

Group Captain Dilsher Singh Gill was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 29 Jun 65.

Gp Capt Gill is a production test pilot. He has served both as a Flight Commander and Commanding Officer of a Helicopter unit where his performance was often quoted as worthy of emulation. He has spent over 4½ years at an operational base in the Eastern Sector which he commanded for 2½ years. The main task of the station includes insurgency control operations, extensive air maintenance and special operations. By display of exceptional leadership, he was able to weld his team with extremely high morale. Through sheer tenacity and perseverance, he was able to have all AF encroached land vacated during his tenure as the Station Commander.

For his sustained dedication to the service and performance of a very high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt Dilsher Singh Gill.

Group Captain Nallavandu Bhaskar Amaresh, Medical Senior Adviser in Surgery and Paediatric Surgery, joined the Air Force on 29 Mar 63. He was a member of Auxiliary Air Force and earned his wings in 1960 on qualifying as a pilot. He continued to fly as a pilot in the Air Force actively till Dec 1977.

During the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict, he was the surgeon at AF Hospital, Kanpur and organized and managed 420 battle casualties most professionally and efficiently. During his present tenure in Command Hospital, AF Bangalore as Senior Advisor in Surgery and Paeditatric Surgery, he has been responsible for a number of innovative improvements in the Department of Surgery.

The task of surgical management of over 450 battle casualties of 'OP PAWAN' received at Command Hospital AF was entrusted to him. He organized his surgical team to receive and manage casualties round the clock without respite.

For the outstanding services rendered, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt Nallavandu Bhaskar Amaresh.

Wing Commander Daljit Singh has been on the posted strength of a vital radar unit as the Senior Director/Chief Operations Officer since 08 Oct 84.

During his tenure in this unit, the officer played a key role in various Air Headquarters and Command level exercise. In Ex Ranvijay and Eagle 86, his imaginative and creative thinking carried to fore when Type-77 aircraft gained ascendancy over other MiG aircraft through innovative interception tactics. In Ex Live Wire, he achieved the difficult task of integrating five 'Base Air Defence Centres' and two 'Control and Reporting Centres' at an Air Defence Directing Centre thus ensuring smooth flow of Air Defence data between various agencies. During Ex-Brass Tacks IV, the officer set up 'Mobile Air Space Control Cell' which functioned effectively and smoothly.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and professional abilities, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Daljit Singh.

Wing Commander Sivaramakrishna Narayanan VM is posted to Air Force Intelligence School wef 17 Apr 86 as a Senior Instructor in the faculty of Photo Interpretation.

He has introduced Tactical Reconnaissance continuity training and prepared syllabi for vertical specialization in the fields of Tactical and Strategic reconnaissance. His initiative to introduce MiG-25 reconnaissance photography, Tactical Reconnaissance films and IRLS (Infra Red Line Scanner) imageries within the scope of training to PIs (Photo Interpreter), only high lights his forward thinking.

Without any formal training, he has developed computer software in highly 'User Friendly' Language which has resulted in computerization of Target Information Library, Map Library, Question Banks, Technical Reference Library and students' dossiers in the school.

In recognition of his outstanding performance, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Sivaramakrishna Narayanan VM.

Wing Commander Om Kumar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in May 1968.

He has flown over 7000 hrs on four different types of aircraft. He was awarded Cat 'A', the highest professional category, when he was only a Flying Officer with four years of service. In view of his professionalism and high standards in flying, he was selected for the Advance Navigation Course which he qualified with distinction.

In Sep 77, as an Air Force Examiner, he made tremendous contribution towards maintaining high standards of navigation in the transport fleet. He was then selected to undergo conversion on IL-76 aircraft in USSR before his induction into IAF. A distinguished A-2 Qualified Navigator Instructor, he has vast instructional experience on IL-76, AN-12 and HS-748 aircraft. In recognition, he was once again appointed an Air Force Examiner and Navigation Leader at Aircrew Examining Board in Jan 87.

For his exceptional professional achievments and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Om Kumar.

Wing Commander Swaminathan Gopalakrishna has been on the posted strength of a vital operational wing of the Air Force since March 1985.

Wg Cdr Gopalakrishna has been trained abroad on both the variants of Mirage-2000 engines. Immediately after his posting to the present Air Force Station, he was specifically entrusted with the responsibility of setting up and commissioning of the ETB and the ERS. Unmindful of any personal consi derations of hardship, Wg Cdr Gopalakrishna led a small team of equally dedicated tradesmen and accomp lished the task within a very short time.

During this period, he was able to achieve major repair work on 134 engines and 167 engines were run up on the test bed without any incident or damage to equipment.

For his devotion to duty, exceptional professional knowledge and sustained hard work, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Swaminathan Gopalakrishna.

Wing Commander Ramwaswamy Chandra Kumaran has been on the posted strength of an important Base Repair Depot since 30 Dec 86 before which he received training on 3rd and 4th line servicing of R-29 Aero Engine in USSR.

He guided a special team of technicians to prepare comprehensive Work Packages and Work Records for overhaul of the bare engine. There were 1031 types of special tools to be supplied by USSR. He identified about 350 most essential tools, got them manufactured within the resources of BRD itself facilitating launching of the overhauls of all types and series of R-29 engines during 1988-89. Under his stewardship of the Project, the depot was successful in producing aero-engines during 1988-89 to sustain operational preparedness of the MiG fleet.

For his professional competence of exceptionally high order and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Ramwaswamy Chandra Kumaran.

Wing Commander Ram Krishan Ganjoo was commissioned in the Medical Branch of the Indian Air Force in March 1973 and has been posted at Air Force Station, New Delhi as Staff Surgeon to the Chief of Air Staff since January 1987.

After completing his post-graduation, the officer has served as a Medical Specialist at various hospitals including Command Hospital Bangalore where he was associated with Postgraduate teaching programmes. He was pivotal in the Armed Forces Medical Research Project to study the lipid profile in asymptomatic aircrew and ground duty personnel of the Air Force. The officer has ensured the efficient functioning of a fully equipped Cardiac Van only one of its kind in IAF for immediate medical assistance and subsequent transfer of cardiac patients to the Army Hospital.

In recognition of his distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Ram Krishan Ganjoo.

Squadron Leader Rajesh Mohan Sethi has been on the posted strength of an operational Wing of the Air Force since Mar 85.

Sqn Ldr Sethi was trained in France on the RDM System. On his return from abroad, he was entrusted with the task of setting up the elaborate and sophisticated second line/ extended second line facilities for servicing, snag rectification and maintenance of the RDM and its 'Line Replacement Units' (RLUs).

During his trials, he made a number of most accurate and valid observations. He also suggested possible solutions to the long outstanding problem of mutual interference between RDMs.

For displaying a high degree of professionalism, technical innovations and exemplary devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Rajesh Mohan Sethi.

Squadron Leader Anil Kumar Kaistha is on the posted strength of a vital Fighter base sine 22 Aug 1988.

Sqn Ldr Kaistha was given responsibility of setting up the servicing facilities for providing maintenance upto 3rd line for a sophisticated electronic system which had just been inducted in the Indian Air Force. The officer was also charged with the responsibility of making the new system operational and train pilots and technical personnel of the operating Squadrons.

With his vast professional knowledge and exceptional skill, he has been able to train a team of personnel who can independently diagnose and rectify every possible snag in the equipment in a very efficient manner.

For his professionalism, hard work and exemplary devotion, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Anil Kumar Kaistha.

Squadron Leader Bhajan Lal Thakral is posted to Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhavan as Assistant Director in the Directorate of Engineering 'D' since 28 Oct 87. He was selected as Senior Technical Officer for the Air Force Contingent in the 8th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica.

Sqn Ldr Thakral worked with zeal and untiring energy to maintain and keep the helicopters flying round the clock in Antarctica. On 25 Dec 88, he personally worked for 18 hours on the ice shelf to rectify engine snag of the helicopter which had forcelanded there. This helicopter subsequently flew almost 100 hours thereby greatly contributing to the success of the expedition.

For his services of outstanding merit and dedication, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Bhajan Lal Thakral.

Squadron Leader Rajinder Kumar Sharma was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Jul 77. He has been functioning as the Senior Technical Officer of a front line Squadron of the Air Force since Apr 87.

He has a sharp eye for identifying problem areas in aircraft servicing and maintenance, operating procedures and optimizing use of aircraft support equipment. Sqn Ldr RK Sharma has established a quality control cell and achieved a very high level of quality oriented maintenance in the squadron. He has maintained aircraft availability and serviceability at a very high level.

For his exceptional knowledge and dedication, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Rajinder Kumar Sharma.

Squadron Leader Rohit Khera was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 28 Dec 77.

As Station Adjutant of one of the Operational Wings, he was instrumental in streamlining the maintenance and updating procedures for personnel records at the station. He also showed great maturity in handling delicate disciplinary matters for all categories of personnel. As Deputy Camp Commandant at Air HQ in 1985, he introduced several cost reduction innovations and ensured timely and adequate supply of office contingencies and maintained excellent liaison with civil authorities to ensure smooth functioning of the entire Air Headquarters.

The officer was subsequently posted to an operational Command and is presently serving at Air Headquarters. In his staff appointments at Command and Air Headquarters, Sqn Ldr Khera has lived up to the early promises shown by him.

For his distinguished service, devotion to duty and organizing ability, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Rohit Khera.

Flight Lieutenant Mukund Lal Bagga is on the posted strength of 26 Air Operation Flight since 07th September 1987. Immediately after his joining the flight, it was ordered to move for Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka). He planned and completed move of technical and maintenance equipment/stores and prepared all the aircraft. The working conditions at Operational location was very difficult and hazardous for maintenance activities.

Besides meeting the regular and routine task of maintenance an additional task of training the newly posted Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Aviation technicians was also entrusted to him. He planned and executed the task of training in an exemplary way and built a highly skilled team of aviation technicians.

On 27th July, 1989, Chetak helicopter Z 390 was hit by militant fire and forced to land away from base. It was declared unfit to fly and a decision was taken to dismantle and transport it to base. Flight Lieutenant Mukund Lal Bagga with his wide experience, improvised the underload sling and accomplished the task of lifting the Chetak helicopter underslung under Mi-8 helicopter without any further damage in a most professional and exemplary manner. A well motivated and dedicated officer, he has a lot of professional pride. His untiring efforts toward a high standard of maintenance has immensely contributed to the operational task undertaken by the flight - a massive 6160 sorties and 3850 hours.

For displaying dedication and devotion to duty of a high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Flt Lt Mukund Lal Bagga.

Flight Lieutenant Nallankannu Pillai Sethu Subramaniam has been on the posted strength of a fighter squadron with effect from 17 Feb 86. He also underwent a course abroad in USSR on the S-22 aircraft.

In his tenure in the Squadron, he had been relentless in his pursuit to meet all operational requirements and tasks. Subsequently, when he took over the duties of Senior Technical Officer, he chose to carry out his task with single-minded dedication. It is entirely due to his effort that the Squadron had been able to achieve 100% serviceability on several occasions. Later, he was able to maintain an average serviceability of staggering 75% per month due to his efforts, the Squadron has flown 8500 sorties of accident-free flying.

For his exceptional professionalism and dedication to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Flt Lt Nallankannu Pillai Sethu Subramaniam.

Junior Warrant Officer Chandran Kelancheri is on the posted strength of a Base Repair Depot since Oct 86. He came back after training in the USSR on overhaul and armament aggregates of MiG aircraft.

His most laudable achievement was repair of missile launchers for MiG aircraft. Thus, saving dispatches of launchers to the USSR for repair at an exorbitant cost in foreign exchange.

Another achievement of JWO Chandran has been a significant contribution in the development of modification scheme for adaptation of bombs, missiles on wing station of MiG-23 BN and design an aerodynamic fairing of cluster bomb for carriage from MiG-23 BN. In pursuit for his zeal to work, JWO Chandran fabricated five important testers which were not imported from the USSR. His proposal to interchange gun between fuselage and the wing station with minor modification has been widely appreciated and accepted by the Air Headquarters.

For his exceptional professional achievement and dedication to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Junior Warrant Officer Chandran Kelancheri.

Sergeant Bhan Singh Gill is on the posted strength of one of the Helicopter Units since 16 Jun 87. He was selected as a member of the Air Force Contingent for the 8th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. For flying operations at Antarctica, the Pratap helicopters were fitted with Decca Doppler 91 nav system and Primus 500 weather radar. Sgt Gill worked untiringly for long hours and accomplished this complex task of modification well in time. He again carried out transfer of this modification from one helicopter to another at Antarctica working on the ship deck undeterred by the sub zero temperatures and strong winds. To accomplish the task, the Air Force team was flying round the clock to make full use of scarce good weather at Antarctica.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and professionalism of the highest order displayed at Antarctica, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sergeant Bhan Singh Gill.