Wing Commander Ved Prakash Bhagra was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force in December, 1942. During the last 29 years, he has held a variety of unit and staff appointments amongst which are the assignment with Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission in Korea and Staff Officer to the Commandant of National Defence Academy.

During the last one year and nine months, Wing Commander Bhagra has been Officerin-Charge Drafting at Air Force Record Office. These duties during the present emer gency were onerous and very complicated because of the large number of airmen required to be moved to replace those who were proceeding on release in the wake of lifting of the national emergency in 1968 and the need for meeting the ever-increasing demands for manpower from the front line Units.

When the national emergency was imminent in the latter half of 1971 and the task of the Air Force Record Office, increased manifold Wing Commander Bhagra, by his personal example, honesty of purpose and devotion to the cause of the service, managed to forge the Officers and airmen of Drafting Wing into a closely knit and an efficient team. During the recent emergency, when the preparation stage was being implemented, it was due to his untiring efforts and minute and meticulous attention to detail that it was possible to complete large scale manpower augmentation plan in a speed manner. This enabled the service to provide such needed manpower at forward operational area Units well in time to meet the threat.

The selfless devotion to the duties entrusted to him and personal example set by Wing Commander Ved Prakash Bhagra were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Group Captain Sudesh Pal Vohra joined the Indian Air Force in 1957. During his commissioned service of 25 years, the officer has held various important, challenging and high-pressure jobs.

On his posting as OIC Drafting Wing at AFRO in March, 1983, he took upon himself the challenge-of achieving the organizational aim of operational efficiency. To this end, he took positive steps to motivate the work force and ensure optimum utilisation of the existing resources essential for efficient handling of highly sophisticated systems.

This officer with his vast experience, analytical and mature handling, has been able to meet the challenge of managing vast, highly skilled manpower and also looking after their human requirements. By introducing extended tenures, he has not only ensured greater use of expertise, but also improved the satisfaction level of men. About 90-95% airmen are now given first or second choice of posting on completion of a tenure in a hard area.

During the last year over 8,840 promotions were authorised. By his meticulous planning, he made sure that movement was necessitated only in 600 cases. Similarly due to his perseverance, there has been a sharp decline in the outstanding movements. From 1651 in 1983 this figure has now been reduced to 869, a drop of nearly 50%. The trained status of the flying squadrons has also improved from 70% to 80-85%. His concentrated efforts have brought about an all-around improvement in the placement planning of airmen and a fair degree of satisfaction level has been achieved.

For his dedication to duty, loyalty to the service and outstanding performance at AFRO, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Sudesh Pal Vohra.

Gp Capt Kadavil Ravivaraman Radhakrishnan was commissioned in the IAF on 27 May 61 in the Administrative Branch. During his service career this officer has acquitted the given responsibility in an exemplary manner. Professionally he is highly competent and committed to the service.

During his tenure as Chief Administrative Officer of Jamnagar, Tambaram and Pune, he displayed tremendous skill and capability to match the requirements of operational, maintenance and administrative tasks of three of the most important stations of the Air Force. By sheer example and devotion to duty, he was able to iron out their respective administrative problems and all these stations were rated high during his tenure by the Air Staff and Maintenance Inspections Teams. This speaks volumes of the dedicated leadership and high degree of skill displayed by this individual.

Gp Capt Radhakrishnan was posted to Air Force Record Office on 19 Oct 87. This officer has been assigned the task as O/C Drafting to deal with placements and postings. The entire placement and posting data has been computerised because of his hard work and understanding the needs of this modern management philosophy. His professional competence of the highest order has lent credence and dignity to the job requirements and brought laurels to the service.

For his dedication to service and devotion of an exceptional order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt KR Radhakrishnan.