Group Captain P Singh was commissioned on 05 Apr 65. He has served in Guided Missile Squadron and has flown as Air Signaller from 1969 to 1974. Gp Capt Praduman Singh served in the Air Staff of HQ Western Air Command from 1977 to 1984. He was deputed to Radar and Communication Project Organisation (RCPO) from 1982 to 1984 for integration of first PSM-33 radar.

Group Captain Praduman Singh has been in Command of a Tropo Communication centre since 01 Mar 93. By his hard work and profess knowledge of very high order he has been able to ensure the system availability over 99%. There has not been a single instance of link loss attributable to equipment unserviceability of generation equipment and air conditioning plan the last one year. Air HQ team inspected the unit in Dec 94 and assessed the functional wing of the unit to be highly satisfactory while Transports, Armoury and Signals were assessed as above the average. Gp Capt P Singh has also developed a single Integrated Console which has helped to improve the communication efficiency in all our tropo units.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Praduman Singh.

Group Captain RK Batha was commissioned on 04 Oct 65 in the Engineering Branch. After a tenure as Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station Ambala, the officer was posted to Air Headquarters as Joint Director Engineering (Jaguar) in Feb 92.

During the present tenure at Air Headquarters, the officer was responsible for directing and guiding the small team of officers under him in all aspects of technical and logistics of Jaguar maintenance. The officer was instrumental in planning and execution of activities connected with provisioning, repairs by HAL, major servicing plan, induction, repair and overhaul task of rotables/repaira bles etc. The officer has been an effective interface with HAL to execute these tasks.

The specific achievement of the officer during his tenure was to head the Air Headquarters Investigation Team into the two Jaguar accidents in Dec 93 resulting from failure of Slat brake unit. The findings and recommendations were accepted and implemented for re-commencement of Jaguar flying in Jan 94. The follow up on the investigation resulted in modification proposal of the failed part being accepted by the manufacturers.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain RK Batha.

Group Captain VK Sharma was commissioned in Accounts Branch in 1965. During his career of around 30 years he has held a variety of assignments with distinction. He was appointed Joint Director (Cost Analysis) at Directorate of Financial Planning in Nov 89.

A very significant portion (about 20%) of the IAF Budget goes to HAL every year. The payments to HAL are made as per the pricing policy issued by Govt in 1988. With his indepth knowledge and understanding of commercial accounting, working procedures of Corporate bodies and remarkable negotiating skills, the officer has been able to most effectively argue and cut down the high costs projected by HAL. By rationalising the prices quoted by HAL he ensured that from 1989 the cash outgo from IAF Budget to HAL was reduced by more than 400 Cr, a substantial saving for the Air Force.

In addition, GP Capt Sharma applied himself to resolve other long outstanding issues such as, methodology for claiming refund of profit on the idle labour of HAL, charging of cost of accessories on the basis of the year of manufacture in place of the year of fitment, refund of excess depreciation on assets, lesser profit on non-production overheads, non-acceptance of loss to IAF due to shortfalls of production in HAL. These achievements reflect on eloquent testimony of his professional competence and haul accrued a saving of about Rs 15-20 Cr on annual basis.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain VK Sharma.

Group Captain AD Karandikar was commissioned on 04 Jun 67. He has served with distinction in various appointments. A Qualified Flying Instructor, he holds the highest category and Instrument Rating on various transport aircraft. An outstanding professional he was awarded VM in Jan 92. He was appointed Commanding Officer of Air HQ Communication Squadron in Feb 92. Under his dynamic leadership, astute planning and outstanding management abilities, the Squadron has achieved close to 100% serviceability state of a fleet comprising three different types of aircraft, namely, Boeing-737, HS748 and Mi-8 helicopters.

He initiated a special project to refurnish the fleet of HS-748 aircraft. All aircraft of the squadron carry this interior scheme which has evoked great appreciation at all levels. The recent success of the airlift effort towards the SAARC Summit held at Mashobra in May 95, including modification of the two Boeing-737 and five Mi-17 helicopters involved, were achieved directly due to the total involvement and innovativeness of the officer. Gp Capt AD Karandikar has flown a staggering 13,000 hours without a single incident/accident in his 28 years of active flying. This significant achievement stands unequalled in the history of Indian Air Force.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain AD Karandikar.

Group Captain Surya Kumar Gupta was commissioned as Transport pilot in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 04 Jun 67. He later converted to helicopters. He has held numerous important appointments like Flight Commander, Commanding Officer, Chief Operation Officer and Station Commander at Training/Operational field units/stations as well Assistant/Deputy and Joint Director at Air Headquarters.

He has been on the strength of the Dte of Air Staff Inspection since 18 Mar 92 as Joint Director in charge of Inspection of 29 helicopter units of the IAF. Being the only Helicopter Inspector, his is an onerous task. By constant effort he has increased yearly inspections to 14 thus bringing all helicopter units into a two year inspection cycle. This has been a commendable performance resulting in a significant upgradation of Operational stan dards and preparedness.

Totally fair and mature in his approach, he has transformed the inspection process to one fruitful, interaction which has enhanced the performance of the units. He evolved the procedure, scope of inspections and assessment criteria for helicopter units which has made the process more transparent, objective and rational.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain SK Gupta.

Group Captain PV Karapurkar was commissioned on 24 Jun 67 in the Logistics Branch. He has held the appointments of Senior Logistics Officer of a major frontline fighter station and Joint Director at Air HQ. He was also Asst Director of Purchase at London (UK).

Group Captain PV Karapurkar took over as Commanding Officer of an Equipment Depot (ED) on 12 Apr 93. Through his dynamic leadership, initiative and drive, he ensured that adequate stocks of spares, aerolubricants, clothing items etc were always maintained by timely replenishments. He provided maximum product support to Operational Units under South Western Air Command by maintaining close liaison with bases, thus ensuring maximum user satisfaction and operational preparedness.

With his determination, drive and cheerful disposition, Gp Capt PV Karapurkar has been able to give a new direction to the ED and maintained intensive support to the Operational bases of the Command.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain PV Karapurkar.

Group Captain Amrish Kumar was commissioned on 01 Apr 68 in the Engineering Branch of the IAF. He has held the appointment of Deputy Director of Tele Communications at Air Headquarters (VB). He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College. Gp Capt Kumar was appointed the Commanding Officer of Air Force Signals Centre (AFSC) on 27 May 93. Distributed Message Switching System (DMSS) was inducted at AFSC in Sep 92. Gp Capt Kumar noticed several flaws in the working of this system and brought about modifications in the software of the system which enhanced its working efficiency and resulted in an annual savings of almost 6-7 lakhs rupees.

AFSC during his tenure has been able to undertake unique tasks to improve communications links of Communication Squadron using an old vintage type of Radio equipment. Under supervision of Gp Capt Amrish Kumar the AFSC successfully undertook the additional task of repairing the Secrecy Device Equipment, which has helped in maintaining the secrecy of vital communications and resulted in saving of precious foreign exchange.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt Amrish Kumar.

Group Captain Colville de Souza was commissioned on 23 Jun 68. He was appointed as Chief Administrative Officer of Air Force Station Kalaikunda on 02 Nov 92. On taking over he faced the challenge of powerful civilian employees/MES workers' lobby, working against the service interests. He studied the problem thoroughly and by his deft handling he not only avoided strikes but also effectively curbed the indiscipline of the employees, thus increasing the output.

Group Captain C de Souza launched a door to door campaign in the domestic area including class IV civilians, coaxing them to work towards maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. He has markedly improved the buildings, maintained clean drainages and gave a total face lift to the entire station area. In addition parks, gardens and orchards were planned to beautify the campus.

The station was inspected once by the Chief of Air Staff, United States Air Force and twice by the Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force and the outlook of the Station was highly praised by the inspecting officers.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain C de Souza.

Group Captain RS Tathgur was commissioned on 29 Dec 68. A veteran fighter pilot with over 4100 hours of accident free flying to his credit, he is also an A-2 flying instructor. Further his track record as Flight Commander and Commanding Officer of two operational Squadrons is excellent.

Group Captain RS Tathgur was posted as Academy Flight Safety & Inspection Officer in Apr 93 and took over as Chief Operations Officer in Apr 94. The Academy flies over 18,000 hours per annum. Most of this is carried out by ab-initio trainees, which explains the crucial role of both the above appointments in maintaining a safe flying environment. That the Officer has more than met the standards expected of him is evident from the fact that the Academy accident rate for the year 1993-94 was zero. Further as Chief Operations Officer he has maintained a continuous check on potential hazards to flying by eradicating bird roosting areas in the aerodrome vicinity, paying great heed to aerodrome maintenance, introducing Red & Green periods for flying and personally surveying and clearing sectors for low flying. He was also responsible for revamping the pre-accident plan and ensuring its regular practice. These achievements undoubtedly contributed a great deal to the Academy winning the Best Flying Training Establishment trophy for two consecutive years and the coveted Flight Safety Trophy in 1993-94.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain RS Tathgur.

Group Captain AR Ambatkar was commissioned in the Engineering branch in Jul 69. An alumnus of College of Defence Management, he has held many field and Staff appointments. He was specially selected for the post of Chief Engineer at Mauritius, and was appointed Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station Tezpur in Sep 92.

With his professional expertise, past experience and personal example of hard work, the base achieved high standards. Serviceability percentage for MiG aircraft has improved from 61% to 85% and for helicopters from 81% to 98%. Since the time he took over, eighteen prolonged unserviceable aircraft have been built up and made serviceable. The mechanical transport (MT) serviceability improved from 85% to 98%. Under his guidance, Station Workshop resources were utilised to maximum for improving service ability of MT, Ground equipment and Airfield systems. Major structural repairs on MT coaches and other vehicles were undertaken in workshop.

Under his guidance data on various aspects like aircraft state, snag analysis, defect report and logistics inventory have been computerised.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain AR Ambatkar.

Group Captain AB Pandit was commissioned on 07 Jul 69 in the Engineering Branch. He has held the appointments of Project Coordinator (Aircraft) at Defence Research Development Organisation. He is a graduate of Defence Service Staff College. Gp Capt Pandit was appointed Chief Engineering Officer of Air Force Station, Halwara on 26 Apr 93.

On assuming the duties Gp Capt Pandit guided the technical team to ensure that Navigation aids remained fully serviceable and reliable, so that safe flying operations could be undertaken even during adverse weather conditions. He ensured that requisite maintenance facilities were provided to the visiting detachments so as to enable them to undertake their task without hindrance. He employed cost beneficial techniques while undertaking Tranquil and "Identification Friend or Foe" modification on all aircraft. He undertook transfer of 100 tons of aircraft Weapon Reserve stores by road without an incident or accident well within the stipulated target dates. It was due to his personal involvement that an Electronic Data Processing system was set up and made functional in the Western Air Command. Gp Capt Pandit ensured availability of Mechanical Transport (MT) to all units and sections on as required basis. The Station was adjudged the "Best Fighter Wing in Maintenance" in the Command.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain AB Pandit.

Group Captain BU Chengappa was commissioned in the Engineering branch on 05 Jun 69. He has held the appointments of Deputy Director Engineering at Air HQ and Commanding Officer of the Guided Weapons Training Institute. He was specially selected for training on Mi-25 Helicopter in USSR. He is the Chief Engineering Officer at AF Station Hakimpet since 18 Oct 93.

On arriving at AF Station Hakimpet, he keenly observed the recurring Iskra aircraft snags and through his Engineering acumen located the cause at the hydraulic system arising from hydraulic oil contamination. He designed and fabricated a special 3 micron oil filter in the system by which the snags have been completely eliminated. Similarly on the helicopters he identified a manufacturing defect of Belloow-seal rupture causing transmission failure. This has earned him kudos from the Heli-division of HAL.

Being an MBA degree holder, he blended his managerial skill with the technical environment and has been able to attain 93% serviceability on Iskra and 90% on the helicopters during last year, through enhanced motivational techniques of a high calibre. The Station won best Mechanical Transport Trophy and the best Flying and Maintenance trophy of HQ Training Command in 1993 and 1994 respectively.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain BU Chengappa.

Group Captain Arun Kumar Tiwari was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force on 20 Dec 69. He has flown over 4100 hrs as a fighter pilot. He is a qualified flying instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, he also served in the Aircrew Examining Board. He had been a Flight Commander in a MiG-21 Sqn and then had the distinction of being one of the early commanding Officers of a MiG-29 Squadron. He was appointed Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Air Force Station Adampur in Jan 94.

As a COO, GP Capt Tiwari has successfully overseen the creation and sustenance of an environment wherein Fighter and Guided Missile Squadrons can maximise utilisation of their resources towards effective training. During Command exercises in 1994 and 1995, the meticulous planning done by him ensured smooth and efficient achievement of objectives. In his capacity as Base Air Defence Officer, he has trained his team to a very high level of skill and cohesion.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain AK Tiwari.

Group Captain RP Singh was commissioned on 12 Jan 71 in the Engineering Branch. He has served as the Senior Technical Officer of two MiG-21 Squadrons. He was appointed as Deputy Director Engineering A2(T) on 09 Apr 90. When he took over, 20 to 30 type77/96 (MiG-21) aircraft in units were without engines. After having realised that R-11 engines were no more in production in any country, he embarked upon the idea of life extension of these engines. Subsequent studies in Russia, based on the thought process initiated by him, resulted in life extension of R-11s from 1200 to 1600 h. This in turn resulted in a huge saving to the Government. He was also able to prevail upon HAL to carry out partial repair of R-13 engines and five engines have been accepted by Koraput.

As a member of Indian delegation to Kyrgyzstan, he was instrumental in selecting 15 best MiG-21 trainers along with the best of the available R-13 engines. This single acquisition has resolved MiG-21 trainer shortage in IAF once for all. Life extension of R-11 engines has generated 1,25,000 additional hours and repairs of five R-13 engines in India under his guidance have resulted in saving of more than 10 crore rupees in foreign exchange.

For distinguished service of high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain RP Singh.

Group Captain SC Mukul was commissioned as fighter pilot on 22 Jan 72. He has to his credit the command of a MiG-29 Squadron. He is an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Combat Leader and Defence Services Staff College graduate. He has been on the staff of both Flying Instructors School and Tactics and Combat Development Establishment and has had a tenure as a flying inspector in Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. He has over 4000 hours of flying. He was appointed Chief Operations Officer of Air Force Station, Jamnagar in Feb 94. Jamnagar is one of the most active fighter bases as Squadrons and units of Training Command operate regular weapons training detachments at the station. 34 detachments operated successfully from base during the last year. During the calendar year a total of 15,010 sorties/10800 hours were flown. Such scale of operational activity from a single base was successfully coordinated by the officer. During 1994, Gp Capt Mukul was tasked to plan and conduct a Dissimilar Air Combat Training Camp for MiG-21 and MiG29 aircraft. He planned and executed this task flawlessly. A total of 800 sorties were flown. The station was assessed above the average in operations by the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection team.

For distinguished service of high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain SC Mukul.

Group Captain DC Kumaria was commissioned as fighter pilot on 02 Jun 73. He was chosen to train on the Jaguar in UK on its induction. Later, he was selected to undergo the Qualified Weapon Instructor course in UK where he stood first and achieved the first ever "exceptional" grading in a flying course in the RAF, a record that is unlikely to be broken. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1984. A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, he has served as Directing Staff at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and as Assistant Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. Prior to his present appointment he was in command of a front line Jaguar squadron (Sqn) employed in maritime operations role. During the period of his command, many new strike profiles and tactics recommended by him were accepted by TACDE and issued by Air HQ as an air publication titled "Maritime Tactical Employment Manual". The Sqn was assessed "Above Average" by the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection team in Operations and Administration. The Squadron won a number of trophies in the Command Gunnery Meet including the overall championship. The squadron was adjudged the Best Combat Squadron in South Western Air Command in 92-93 and again in 93-94.

Gp Capt Kumaria was especially selected for the newly created Air War Strategy Cell in Nov 94. The cell was tasked to write an Air power Doctrine for the Indian Air Force. He applied himself to the task and worked relentlessly to complete the project by the given date of 31 Mar 95.

For distinguished service of high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain DC Kumaria, VM.

Group Captain Anil Chopra was commissioned in the fighter stream on 02 Jun 73. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot, he was selected in the first batch of pilots to go to France for Mirage-2000 training. On return he formed the core group to train other pilots in India. The officer was subsequently sent to France for an Operational Electronic Warfare (EW) Course. He was instrumental in forming the first EW flight on Mirage-2000 aircraft. He was awarded VM in 1989. A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, he was selected to be the Staff Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff, an appointment he held with two successive Air Chiefs.

Gp Capt Chopra commanded a Mirage2000 Squadron from 1992 to 1994. Thereafter, he was appointed the senior staff officer to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command. Gp Capt Chopra led the team of staff with a high degree of efficiency. Through his operational background and logical approach he gave valuable inputs for decision making. He introduced new management techniques to increase individual performance and motivation of the staff. The officer has established an excellent rapport with field Commanders and Command Staff.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Anil Chopra.

Wing Commander UB Mathur was commissioned on 15 Jan 70. A graduate from Armed Forces Medical College, he acquired diploma in clinical pathology in 1978 and Masters Degree in 1980. Ever since becoming a specialist in Pathology he has dedicated himself to building laboratory service in Air Force. Between 1981 and 82 under the guise of Project Pawan on launching of Indian Cosmonaut into space he contributed in planning and organising a modern laboratory at Air Force Command Hospital, Bangalore. He established a new laboratory at No. 10 Air Force Hospital in Eastern sector. In Institution of Aerospace Medicine he improved the Aircraft Accident Pathology Cell evolving special tests and techniques for investigating bird-hit accidents. His papers on this subject were presented in international forum.

Posted to Air Force Medical Establishment (AFCME) in 1989, he was given the challenging job of modernising the clinical laboratory. Today the clinical laboratory at AFCME boasts of minimum waiting period, non touch sample collection with disposable kits, a battery of new tests using stateof the-art equipments, computer analysis of test reports, on the spot doctor to patient advise on preventive and curative measures and all these are dispensed with courtesy, confidentiality, privacy and personalised attention.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander UB Mathur.

Wing Commander OP Gupta was commissioned in the meteorological branch on 30 Dec 72 and is on the posted strength of Air HQ (VB) since Jul 94. He possesses a vast experience on aviation weather forecasting and has many significant achievements in this field to his credit.

He was the first Met officer to study Clear Air Turbulence and its effects on fighter aircraft at high altitude. His study helped aircrew and test pilots to a great extent and contributed immensely towards flight safety. He also carried out an extensive study of forward area weather and suggested monthly percentage distribution of annual air maintenance loads for each sector of Arunachal Pradesh which enabled the Command to plan the air maintenance task more realistically. During his tenures at AF Stations Shillong and Halwara, he developed comprehensive weather forecasting models which improved the accuracy of local weather forecasts. With his analytical approach effectively utilized the new meteorological systems introduced in the IAF to the maximum and the accuracy of his long and short term weather forecasts has been consistently high. During all major exercises his reliable weather forecasting ensured a 100% mission success rate.

Wing Commander Gupta has also contributed exceptionally well in his secondary duties. He showed keen foresight and personal involvement in national level programmes which were attended by many dignitaries. He has also been leading from the front in promoting the use of Hindi.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander OP Gupta.

Wing Commander AVS Rao was commissioned in accounts branch in Jul 1975. Since his commissioning he has held various important and challenging appointments with distinction. These include Registrar of Sainik School, Senior Accounts Officer of an Air Stores Park and Assistant Director of Accounts at Air HQ. The officer assumed the duties of Mess Secretary of Air Force Officers' Mess, New Delhi in May 1993. Immediately after taking over, Wg Cdr Rao improved the living-in conditions and other facilities in the mess buildings of 2nd World War vintage. His job as Mess Secretary involved arranging and looking after the prestigious functions associated with Air Force Day, AF Commanders' Conference, Biennial Cdrs' Conferences for Army and Navy and banquets for the visiting foreign dignitaries/delegations. Wing Commander Rao has always organised these functions in a befitting manner. In addition, the financial position of the Officers' Mess improved manifold during his tenure. Deposits/savings increased from Rs 8 lakhs to Rs 35 Lakhs. Wg Cdr Rao is a devoted officer who places service before self and has always gone beyond the call of normal duties in executing the entrusted task.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander AVS Rao.

Wing Commander ROJ Assey was commissioned on 11 Jul 75 in the flying branch of IAF. He has held the appointments of Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School and Flight Commander at two helicopter units. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College.

Wg Cdr Assey is the Commanding Officer of a Forward Air Control (FAC) Flight since 02 Nov 92. On his assuming the command the number of pilots qualified were limited as the quantum of flying carried out was not adequate to impart training to newly posted untrained pilots. He undertook the commitment of revising the FAC training syllabus including the briefing guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the role. The SOPs and briefing guide lines revised by him have been introduced in the service. Wg Cdr Assey increased the quantum of flying from 110 hours a month to an average of 200 hours per month without compromising flight safety or maintenance safety. He was able to undertake additional flying task with lower than required manning levels. He personally took over training of aircrew and raised the operational and Instrument Rating/Category state. The Flight was assessed highly satisfactory by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection team.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander ROJ Assey.

Wing Commander Vimal Arora was commissioned in the Army Dental Corps in Dec 77 and was seconded to IAF in Jul 1980. During his 17 years of service he has attained excellence in his field of specialty, Prosthodontics. He is one of those exceptional dental officers who joined service as a specialist. In recognition of his outstanding professional contribution he was deputed to Muscat where he earned laurels and was sent abroad to Germany for training at their expense which is rarely done. Making use of his expertise gained in Germany, he modernised the prosthodontic services at Air Force Central Dental Establishment (AFCDE), Bangalore. He also established the first metal to ceramic laboratory in the services.

In order to set up and lay down proper criteria for conducting research in Armed Forces Dental Services, his services were specially requisitioned by Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services to be posted as Research Pool Officer (RPO). It is due to his efforts that the research in dental services is progressing on lines which are at par with international standards. In addition to research, he willingly took over modernisation of the equipment scale of the three services with matching saving by deleting out of date equipment and materials. It is because of his tremendous involvement that most of the dental centres are equipped with state of art equipment.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Vimal Arora.

Squadron Leader RL Kapur was commissioned in the Logistics Branch on 08 Jun 78. He has functioned as Senior Logistics Officer, Assistant Director Logistics Information System (ADLJS) and in staff appointment at Command and Air HQs. In 1989, the officer was specially selected to be posted as ADLJS (SUPROS), the largest computer based system at Air HQs, for computerisation of data of foreign contracts and the related software development. Sqn Ldr Kapur ensured prompt processing and updating of computer records containing data of 14 lakh documents. This enabled a saving of substantial amount of foreign exchange. Sqn Ldr Kapur displayed impeccable staff work during the appointments of Staff Officer (SO) to the Directorate of Personnel (Officers) and SO to Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ South Western Air Command.

For his professional acumen and flair for inter-personal communication, Sqn Ldr Kapur was appointed as Staff Officer to the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff in Mar 94. He has displayed remarkable capacity to withstand the intrinsic stress of this assignment. The officer has excellent capability for resource management and ability to handle complex problem situations.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader RL Kapur.

Squadron Leader UK Choudhary was commissioned on 02 Jul 79 and has been on the posted strength of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) since 29 Jun 92. He has been working as officer in charge Central Repairs and Servicing Section (CR&SS). The tasks and commitments of CR&SS at AF Station Jamnagar are very high. Sqn Ldr Choudhary displayed very high degree of professional competence, resourcefulness and ingenuity in meeting the task. He also embarked on an ambitious plan of building up of long unserviceable aircraft (ac) and a total of 10 ac were made serviceable in the last one year. Realising the shortage of testers he also undertook the task of designing and fabricating testers. Three testers were fabricated by the CR&SS during the last one year under his guidance.

In Nov 94 a MIG-21 ac on ferry from Chandigarh to Ojhar crash landed at a civil air field in Bhavnagar approximately 300 km from Jamnagar. Sqn Ldr UK Choudhary was selected to recover the ac. After one trip to Bhavnagar Sqn Ldr Choudhary had all the information needed by HQ South Western Air Command to take a decision. He also suggested two solutions to the problem. Once the Command decided on the course of action, Sqn Ldr Choudhary set about the job systematically and completed it in three days at an expense of Rs 16,000 against Rs 40,000 sanctioned for the task.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader UK Choudhary.

Squadron Leader RK Plakkot was commissioned as a navigator on 04 Jun 82. He is one of the youngest officers to achieve the exceptional flying category in just over three years of service. He is also the youngest navigator ever to be cleared for VVIP operations in the Boeing-737 aircraft. He has a total of 4300 hours of flying and is fully qualified in all roles on the HS-748 and Boeing 737 aircraft. An A-2 Navigation Instructor, he was actively associated with the preparation of the IAF long range route chart and was instrumental in ensuring that the chart conformed to international standards. He almost single handedly designed and developed an indigenous state of the art navigation simulator at the Navigation and Signals School. The simulator has significantly cut down training costs and a large portion of the flying syllabus is being taught on the simulator now.

He was specially selected for posting to Air HQ Communication Squadron in Sep 93. During this tenure, Sqn Ldr Plakkot has flown over 950 hours on VVIP and VIP flights to all parts of the country on B-737 aircraft. His dedication and navigational expertise ensured that each sortie was executed with noticeable finesse, earning him and the Air Force the appreciation of the dignitaries flown. He has also been carrying out the flying and ground training of navigators.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader RK Plakkot.

Squadron Leader HS Kamal was commissioned in the logistics branch on 04 Jun 82. He was appointed Senior Logistics Officer of an Air Force Station in Jun 94. Utilising his vast experience on computers he has been instrumental in computerisation of all logistics functions of the station. This has enabled the section to achieve considerable savings in terms of man-hours. With his enthusiasm and initiative he has ensured good quality of rations from the supply depot and spares availability resulting in higher aircraft serviceability.

Sqn Ldr Kamal with his critical scrutiny of all purchase orders has ensured a substantial decrease in unnecessary expenditure. It is to his credit that funds under all code heads have been well managed without any over expenditure. His personal qualities coupled with a very good understanding of service norms has endeared him to one and all and he is a source of inspiration to everyone.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader HS Kamal.

Master Warrant Officer MM Sarkar was enrolled on 21 Mar 60 in the Mechanical Transport Fitter trade. During his long service of more than 35 years, he has performed creditably.

MWO MM Sarkar was posted to an air defence unit at Bombay on 20 Apr 91. Upon arrival in the unit he studied the problem of extreme corrosion of vehicles, due to tough saline conditions prevalent in the region. He incorporated a number of innovative ideas to improve the serviceability status and could maintain almost 100% serviceability status during his tenure in the unit. Exceptional professional competence and initiative shown by MWO Sarkar has resulted in prompt repairs of transports and radar assemblies thus improving the operational

availability of the radar and saving valuable foreign exchange. He designed and made a valve assembly to repair a radar component of French origin, which became unserviceable and spares were not available, thus saving more than rupees three lakhs in foreign exchange. He also repaired the body and super-structure of a coach in the station workshop by spending only Rs 18,000 against the projected cost of Rs 67,000 for repairs in the local market.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Master Warrant Officer MM Sarkar.

Junior Warrant Officer MR Patil was enrolled in the Air Force as direct Sergeant on 23 Jan 88. He had represented Karnataka in the Senior National Wrestling Championship before joining the Air Force. With hard work and intensive training, he progressed exceedingly well at both, the national and the international levels. He is the current National Champion in the 62 kg class. He has the distinction of representing India ten times in various international tournaments including the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1990 & 1994 Asian Games. JWO Patil has won the National title seven years in a row. He was adjudged the Best Services Sportsman in the year 1992-93. He represented India in the Asian Wrestling Championship held at Teheran, in 1992 and won the Silver medal. Thereafter, he has won a Silver medal in the Moustafa international for Greco-Roman Style Wrestling Tournament held at Alexandria, Egypt in Mar 95.

JWO Patil's sustained excellence in the field of wrestling at both, the national and the international levels has brought glory not only to the Air Force but also to the country.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Junior Warrant Officer MR Patil.