Squadron Leader Surindar Kumar Bajaj took over the appointment as Assistant Director of Intelligence at Air Headquarters in November, 1970. Before coming to Air Headquarters he was employed in a highly sensitive assignment requiring exceptional flying ability and initiative. To his present work, he has brought a fund of experience in handling sensitive tasks. During his short tenure in Air Headquarters, he has exhibited commendable acumen in tackling difficult problems. His thorough grasp of current situations and incisive examination of a particular case resulted in the saving of about Rs. 90,000/- to the State. He has been actively associated with a number of major security cases and by skilful1 interrogation has been able to unearth matters vitally affecting the security of the service.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Surindar Kumar Bajaj has displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Rajendra Prasad Paliwal was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in December, 1958. He has successfully completed the Defence Services Staff College Course and has also qualified as a Parachute Jump Instructor. He has a total of 230 parachute descents to his credit including many trial descents with indigenous parachutes and airborne equipment both in the plains as well as at high altitudes. He is one of the two Parachute Jump Instructor officers who have jumped at the highest dropping zone in India. Squadron Leader Paliwal was posted as Assistant Director of Operations (Parachuting) at Air Headquarters in December, 1971. He has helped to lay down a paratrooping policy and worked out a training programme which enabled Paratroopers Training School to set an all time record of 35,000 parachute descents and to meet army tasks in full for the first time during 1972-73. In March, 1972, he actively participated in the paratrooping trials from HS-748 aircraft and formulated paratrooping requirements for this aircraft. Free fall parachuting was started in December, 1972 at Paratroopers Training School due to his initiative and untiring efforts. He also edited a training manual on paratrooping from AN-12 aircraft which is of invaluable help to the instructors and the trainees. Squadron Leader Paliwal has also worked out the scales of flying clothing for Parachute Jump instructors and transport aircrew and scales of Safety and Survival equipment for transport aircraft and helicopters.

Throughout, Squadron leader Rajendra Prasad Paliwal displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Ajai Kumar Singh was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1961. He qualified as flying instructor in 1965 and carried out this onerous task with distinction. Because of his flying skill and professional knowledge he was appointed Station Instrument Rating Instructor in 1966. He distinguished himself in his instructional tenure by qualifying for 'A' category in 1967. He subsequently served with distinction on the staff of Flying Instructors' School and at an operational aircraft conversion unit. He has to his credit a record of 3,500 hours of accident-free flying hours. On completion of his Defence Services Staff College Course with distinction, he was selected for assignment in the Directorate of Air Staff Requirements at Air Headquarters. During the tenure, he was called upon to prepare Air Staff requirements for combat aircraft and major systems and carry out subjective analysis and assessment of contemporary weapon system being considered for induction in the Indian Air Force. In addition, he was assigned special concept ional time-bound tasks, which were successfully accomplished by him. He also maintained tactful and effective liaison with various agencies in the Research and Development Organisation and the Aircraft Industry which has helped the Air Force in finalizing major acquisitions and indigenous schemes.

Squadron Leader Ajai Kumar Singh has thus displayed professional competence, diligence and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Wing Commander Bapu Raghavendra Rao Madhava Rao was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the Indian Air Force on 21st June, 1960. During the two decades of his dedicated service, he has held various important and challenging appointments with distinction. For this outstanding contribution in the raising of a modern base repair dept, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1977. As Deputy Director incharge of maintenance of MiG-21 fleet since July 1978, his whole hearted involvement, intelligent planning and effective management of the weapon system have yielded remarkable results.

Wing Commander Madhava Rao found that a large number of aircraft were falling due for replacement of nose and main undercarriages on life expiry. He arranged for fatigue tests to be carried out within the country, as a result of which it was possible to safely increase the life of the undercarriages to coincide with the life expiry of aircraft. Thus, grounding of a large number of aircraft was avoided and savings of several lakhs of rupees in foreign exchange was affected.

A large number of costly components of MiG-21 aircraft were nearing completion of calendar life specified by the manufacturers. Wing Commander Madhava Rao initiated an extensive programme of scientific tests and trials for ascertaining the safe calendar life of these components. As a result of this extraordinary measure, it was possible to fix the calendar life to 15 years and thereby improve the availability of rotoables for smooth sustenance of the fleet.

A very serious problem, which had almost defied solution, was that of corrosion of MiG engines in the saline atmosphere of the Air Force Stations. Wing Commander Madhava Rao arranged close monitoring of various preventive methods on the engine. Finally, with the help of the specialists of HAL, a long term solution has been evolved. Implementation of this preventive measure has shown very encouraging results. Having carried out a detailed study of the various causes of engine flame out, Wing Commander Madhava Rao has initiated a number of pre ventive and corrective measures in conjunc tion with the manufacturers, overhaul agency and the operating units. During the past nine months, there has not been a single case of engine flame out in the air or on the ground. He has served the cause of MiG-21 fleet in exemplary manner.

Wing Commander Bapu Raghavendra Rao Madhava Rao has thus displayed professional competence, leadership capabilities and devotion to duty of exceptional order.

Group Captain Janak Pratap Singh is a highly experienced fighter pilot and has logged nearly 3000 hours of fighter flying. The officer is professionally highly qualified and has the distinction of having been Flight Commander of three fighter squadrons and commanding officer of MiG Squadron.

Due to his qualities of leadership, flying skill and dedication, the unit under his command won the Armament and Rocket trophies, won the Air HQrs Instrument rating Trophy and was declared the best squadron of the year in Eastern Air Command. For these achievements the officer was commended by the AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command.

The officer was mentioned in despatches during 1965 operations. For having professionally handled a grave night flying emergency on MiG aircraft Gp Capt JP Singh was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff.

During the course of his present tenure as Joint Director Air Staff Inspection, his experience has been of immense value to the operational wings and squadrons.

For having consistently displayed the highest qualities of leadership, professional skill and dedication to the service, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Group Captain Janak Pratap Singh.

Group Captain PI Muralidharan was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 22 Dec 73. He has flown over 2700 hours of flying on MiG-21 and MiG-23 variants. He is a Pilot Attack Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College. After coveted appointments such as Directing Staff at the Tactics and Combat Development Establishment and Flying Inspector with the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, he commanded a MiG-23 MF air defence squadron from Jan 93 to Nov 94.

In November 1994 the Air War Strategy Cell was formed at Air Headquarters with the primary task of evolving an Air Power Doctrine for the IAF. Gp Capt Muralidharan was one of the three officers specially selected for this job. The task was to be completed in a period of only four months as compared to two to three years taken by certain other Air Forces to write their doctrines. Gp Capt Muralidharan was able to translate his arduous effort and originality into formulation of the IAF Doctrinal manual within the stipulated time frame. Evolution of a doctrinal manual was a long-felt necessity and Gp Capt Muralidharan has been instrumental in making IAF Doctrine a reality. The manual would provide valuable impetus to all practitioners and students of air power in this country.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain PI Muralidharan.

Group Captain KK Swaminathan has been on the posted strength of Air Headquarters since 27 Sep 94. He has flown over 2600 hours on Mirage-2000 and MiG-21 variants. He is an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. In 1984, he was specially selected to train on Mirage-2000 aircraft in France. In 1989 he was selected to attend the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh. He has been a Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College and the Commanding officer of a MiG-21 Squadron prior to taking over his present appointment.

Gp Capt Swaminathan is the founder Director of the Air War Strategy Cell, having been specially selected for the task of evolving an Air Power Doctrine for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This was a pioneering task since the IAF did not have a written doctrine. Gp Capt Swaminathan applied himself to the task and produced a draft of the doctrine in the specified time frame of four months, which is highly commendable. The doctrine manual has since then been scrutinised at the highest levels of the IAF and has won accolades. This manual would come out in print soon. The Air War Strategy Cell under the able leadership of Gp Capt Swaminathan submitted the doctrine paper in the specified time frame, which is at par with the doctrines of the major Air Forces of the world.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain KK Swaminathan.