On 25th October, 78, a labourer Shri Mithoo Lal was buried alive approximately at a depth of 30 feet in a well of the Sewage Disposal System, under construction in the New Project Area of Air Force Station, Agra. No one was willing to undertake rescue operation for fear of being trapped as well. At about 1430 hours when Squadron Leader Jagat Narain Shukla learnt about the disaster, he rushed to the scene of the accident and informed Police and Fire Brigade. These agencies arrived promptly, but as the cave in was about 20' and the exact position where the labourer was buried, was not known, none was prepared to enter the well.

Realising the situation, Squadron Leader Shukla himself jumped into the pit and commenced rescue operations. On seeing his example some other labourers joined the rescue and Shri Mithoo Lal was rescued after four hours' effort.

The selfless act of courageous at the peril of his own life and hard struggle in hostile environment was at display at its finest and resulted saving of a human life, the life of a poor civil laborer, Shri Mithoo Lal.

In this action, Squadron Leader Jagat Narain Shukla displayed initiative, courage and determination of a very high order.

Wing Commander Jagat Narain Shukla (8548) was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force on 27 Jan 64. Since then he has held several challenging appointments such as Fighter Controller, Assistant and Deputy Provost Marshal, Assistant Director of Personnel (Officers) and Camp Commandant at Air Headquarters.

At Air Force Station Bikaner, the unit faced acute shortage of water and considerable improvement was needed in the living conditions of the airmen. Though the problem was outside the charter of duties, Wg Cdr Shukla volunteered and worked ceaselessly to achieve the twin objectives through dedicated and effective liaison with civil and local Military authorities.

As Assistant Provost Marshal at Agra, Wg Cdr Shukla was an embodiment of discipline, courage and conviction. He, on a number of occasions, endangered his life to apprehend a large number of notorious thieves responsible for several thefts of valuable service property. On one occasion he displayed courage of a very high order to save the life of a labourer buried in a well by endangering his own life and earned gallantry award of Shaurya Chakra.

In Nov 83, the officer took over the appointment of Camp Commandant, Air Headquarters, an unenviable appointment by all standards. The officer introduced several cost effective methods, significantly reduced cost of maintenance and supplies of essential and routine items. An effective and dedicated liaison with civil authorities helped in completing several Works Services and clear administrative bottle necks. This greatly improved the efficiency and level of satisfaction among the staff.

During the month of Feb 85, the Chief of the Air Staff desired to re-organise Air Headquarters to achieve greater efficiency. The shifting of nearly forty Directorates and subdirectorates from Vayu Bhavan to RK Puram and vice versa was a Herculean task. Wg Cdr Shukla worked around the clock even on Sundays and holidays and executed the task in an excellent manner with least damage to service property and at a negligible cost.

For his consistent performance of a high order involving untiring hard work, devotion to duties, high quality of leadership, organizing capability, cost effective management of resources in achieving desired results, the President is pleased to award the Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Jagat Narain Shukla, SC.