Air Commodore Madhukar Laxman Akut was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1941. During World War II he saw active service on the Burma Front. He held the important appointments in Air Headquarters as well as in the Command of Air Force Units. He served as an Instructor in a flying training school for training pilots and navigators. His professional knowledge and devotion to duty were instrumental in turning out batches of well trained pilots and navigators during those formative days of the Air Force. After his graduation in the Specialist Navigators' Course in the U.K., he was posted to a Bomber Squadron where he did commendable work in improving bombing techniques. During the Chinese aggression in 1962, in his capacity as Senior Officer-in-charge Administration in Headquarters, Eastern Air Command, he did excellent work in establishing not only the Command Headquarters, but also in setting up promptly many operational stations in the eastern sector. As Director Policy and Plans at Air Headquarters, he actively assisted in planning the expansion and consolidation of the Air Force.