Squadron Leader NIJRAM SATRAMDAS BHAGWANANI (4509) Medical During the recent operations in the NEFA, No. 5 Air Force Hospital was flooded with the battle casualties which had poured in from Walong sector. Squadron Leader Nijram Satramdas Bhagwanani was the only surgical specialist available in this hospital, and had to bear the major brunt of this large influx. Some of the casualties had suffered serious gun-shot wounds involving thoracic (Chest) and abdominal regions which required skilful surgery. The magnitude and the complexity of the task would have baffled any exper ienced surgeon. However, Squadron Leader Bhagwanani faced the situation with courage and untiring zeal and great devotion. He worked round the clock on his operation table, in complete disregard to his personal comfort and physical requirement. But for his perseverance, organizational ability and devotion, many of our soldiers who were brought to the hospital in a precarious condition would not have survived. Squadron Leader Nijram Satramdas Bhagwanani in performing this praise-worthy task has shown professional skill and devotion of a very high order.

Squadron Leader Nijram Satramdas Bhagwanani was commissioned in the Air Force in 1953. He attended many important military medical courses and held important appointments in the various Air Force Hospitals. He was selected as a member of the Indian Medical Team in Laos in September, 1965. During his tenure there, on many occasions, he has saved lives by carrying out successful operations with scanty surgical appliances and under adverse operating conditions. On 27th May, 1966, after hearing that some villages were threatened with an epidemic of diphtheria and two children had already died, Sqn. Ldr. Bhagwanani disregarding his personal comforts, went through waist­deep water in the night, and working non­stop throughout the night and the next day, was successful in immunising the entire children population of these villages, as a result of which there was no further casualty. Again, during the floods in September, 1966, in Laos, he worked day and night and rendered medical assistance to the flood-stricken people.