37002 Warrant Officer Vattakkara Ulahannan Thomas, Electrician 1 was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in December, 1943. He has served in a number of operational units and has acquitted himself in an admirable manner.

Warrant Officer Thomas served with a Signals Unit from January, 1970 to March, 1973. During his stay at this unit, he has worked with great zeal and vigour. He always volunteered for additional task, especially those connected with operational commitments. His efforts were largely responsible for the repair of a number of generating sets and rectification of intricate faults in various items of electrical equipment. He took special interest and pains to understand the technical complexities of a new type of imported Generating Set and its inter-related control panel by studying literature after duty hours. His efforts resulted in the speedy installation of these generating sets and enabled the unit to achieve a high state of operational readiness. His example of selfless dedication has been an inspiration to his men.

By his outstanding achievements, professional skill, initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Warrant Officer Vattakkara Ulahannan Thomas has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Sergeant Sabharwal had been serving as the Senior Non-commissioned Officerin-Charge of Production in the Photographic Section at an Operational Wing. During 1972 his section was assigned the task of processing and printing a huge quantity of photographic material of vital importance. Inspite of many difficulties he completed the task on schedule with excellent results.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for professional skill and organizing ability of a high order.

207701 Flight Sergeant Indulal Harishankar Pandya Fitter Armourer was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in July, 1951. He has served in a number of units in an admirable manner

Since August, 1970, Flight Sergeant Pandya has been serving with a Bomber Squadron. Throughout his tenure at the Squadron, he has displayed outstanding devotion to duty, unlimited capacity for hard work and high professional skill. He has always volunteered for difficult operational commitments and has constantly inspired all airmen woring under his charge. By rare organizing ability, zeal, determination and single-minded devotion to duty he has achieved a significant reduction in arming times. With the introduction of a new type of aircraft, the Squadron's aircraft utilization was compromised because of non-availability of an item of equipment. To remedy this situation, Flight Sergeant Pandya assisted in fabrication of the item, and thus helped to overcome the bottleneck.

Flight Sergeant Indulal Harishankar Pandya has consistently rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

218117 Flight Sergeant Amarnath Singh Thakur, Electrician I was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in March, 1954. During his career, he has served in a number of operational units.

Flight Sergeant Thakur has been serving with a Fighter Bomber Squadron for the last five years. He received training on the new aircraft with which the squadron was equipped and thereafter worked on the second line servicing of the aircraft. He has gained a deep insight into the complicated electrical circuits of the highly sophisticated aircraft. By his mastery of the subject he has, time and again, remedied complicated faults in the shortest possible time.

Flight Sergeant Thakur has taken a keen interest in imparting his knowledge of electrical circuits to the airmen working under him by conducting regular training classes. His personal example of dedicated service has been a source of inspiration to all.

By his outstanding work, high professional skill and selfless devotion to duty, Flight Sergeant has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

218163 Flight Sergeant Kulwant Singh Kular, Fitter Armourer was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in March, 1954. During his career he has served in a number of operational units.

Flight Sergeant Kular is at presen serving as the Senior Non-Commissioned officer incharge of Armament Section of an operational Squadron. He has been instrumental in analyzing and rectifying several obscure faults in the aircraft armament systems. His contribution to the improvement of the reliability of airborne and ground armament equipment has been significant.

Flight Sergeant Kular has successfully fabricated a very reliable device to test the serviceability of the armament system of an operational type of aircraft, the use of which will drastically reduce failure in the system. He has thus made a significant contribution to the operational efficiency of the IAF. His personal example of dedicated service has been a constant source of inspiration to his men.

By his outstanding work, professional skill, initiative and selfless devotion to wor, Flight Sergeant Kulwant Singh has rendered distinguished service of a hig order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

222297 Sergeant Veerabhadrappa Hochhappa Koppad, Fitter II Airframe was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in December, 1956. He has served in a number of operational units.

For the last three years, Sergeant Koppad has been serving as the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in-charge Airframes in the Central Repair and Servicing Section of an operational Base. During this period, he has displayed resourcefulness and initiative of a high order. He has worked long hours to maintain good serviceability state of aircraft. On three occasions he was personally responsible for detection of cracks on the airframes of aircraft while they were under going servicing. Thereby, he made as significant contribution to Flight Safety. On one occasion, when the situation required it, he, though suffering with high temperature, rectified major airframe faults on three aircraft. His example of selfless dedication has been an inspiration to his men.

Sergeant Veerabhadrappa Hochhappa Koppad has consistently rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

300177 Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh Ground Training Instructor/Parachute Jump Instructor was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in March, 1947. He is one of the pioneers of paratrooping in India. Prior to 1947, Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh was in 152 Parachute Regiment and has the distinction of having taken part in the airborne operation at Elephant Point in Burma in 1944.

During his tenure as Parachute Jump Instructor, Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh has trained a large number of Army paratroopers. He has himself carried out over 350 descents and has been associated with trials of new parachutes and airborne equipment. As a dispatcher he has flown more than a thousand hours. He took part in the airborne assault operation over Bangla Desh on 11th December, 1971.

Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh has displayed excellent professional skill, courage, determination and devotion to duty. He has consistently rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Rishi during his long service of 24 years has rendered valuable service to the Air Force by setting up efficient accounting service at a number of units. At HQ No. 1 (Opl) Group, IAF he was one of the pioneers. As a result of his drive, initiative, resourcefulness, sustained hard work, planning and coordination, single handedly he was able to streamline and transform the accounting organisation to a very high order of efficiency thereby helping the administration to exercise most effective fiscal control. Himself being a keen sportsman of standing, he devoted himself whole heartedly for promotion of sports and welfare among the personnel of No. 1 (Opl) Group, IAF.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for his leadership, high professional competence and distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Bana Behari Bhattacharjee has served with distinction in a number of staff appointments. While posted as Deputy Director Education at Air Headquarters, he made significant contribution towards improving the education facilities for the children of service personnel and development of units schools. He has also been responsible for improvement in the Indian Air Force Quarterly and Air Headquarters Reference and Technical Library.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of a high order.

Group Captain Gowrishankar Narayan Baindur (4064) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) of the Indian Air Force in January, 1950. He has served with credit an a number of appointments at units, Eastern Air Command and Air Headquarters.

Group Captain Gowrishankar Narayan Baindur served in the Directorate of System Evaluation in Air Headquarters from its inception in 1970 till April, 1973. He has been outstanding leader of various study teams constituted in the Directorate. Because of his very hard work, wide ranging knowledge and in-depth examination of the whole gamut of the mechanism of the Air Force, he has been a prime contributor to the successful studies carried out in various fields. They have encompassed policy making, direction and the working level in the Air Force and have ranged from the constitution of a MiG Squadron to the evaluation of technical effort in war and the optimization of the total resources at a Wing. These studies have generated a change in the perspective in which systems are now viewed in the Air Force. Besides leading to a significant savings in manpower, material and other sources, Group Captain Baindur's work has contributed to an increase in operational potential of units.

Because of his example, zeal and drive Group Captain Baindur has been able to weld his officers into an impartial, capable and homogenous team who have carried out their studies and indicated their reports without fear or favour. Because of his initiative, clear thinking and intuition and perspicacity he has been a noticeable influence in putting the new Directorate working in a totally unfamiliar and alien field, on a path which should result in the optimization of resources and cost effectiveness of systems in the Air Force as a whole.

Wing commander Sen carried out a through project study for setting up of 35 mm movie projection system in the Air Force Academy from Air Force Welfare Funds, Funds generated from this venture were channeled towards construction of an open Air Theater, which again was designed by Wing Commander Sen after a second project study. The personal interest taken by him in contacting Local Government and private agencies for release of steel, cement, and other restricted quota items, and getting the project going with rapidity speaks highly of his initiative. The theater, the construction was started in December, 1973, was ready for operation on 1st April, 1974, largely due to consistent interest taken by Wing Commander Sen. He has also designed and locally fabricated a Kiran Wireless Trainer for training wireless mechanics on Kiran signals installation.

The dedicated work, drive and leadership of Wing Commander Sen was largely instrumental in ensuring establishment of sound and effective signal echelon at Air Force Academy. His consistent zeal to execute all assignments from inception to successful frutition, made heavy demands on him well beyond the call of duty. He has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Dharam Singh Gupta (4643) was commissioned in the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force in November, 1953. During his service career, he has filled a wide variety of appointments creditably. He served as Staff Officer to Air Officer in-Charge Maintenance prior to taking up his assignment of Staff Officer to Chairman, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. At Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, he was additionally handling the duties of Assistant Commercial Manager in the Commercial Department at the Head Office. In all these appointments, he has been intimately connected with the policy issues connected with maintenance, operations and the plethora of problems arising with a highly sophisticated industrial complex like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

While performing his onerous duties, he has, through his own efforts, obtained a Master's Degree in Business Administration, with distinction, from Delhi University. He has unmistakably demonstrated that he is capable of hard work under conditions of stress without allowing the quality of his work to suffer.

Wing Commander Dharam Singh Gupta's day-to-day work as an Aide, personal example, tact, utmost discretion, selfless devotion to duty and the commendable manner in which he has always handled extremely sensitive issues are worthy of emulating by others. He has rendered distinguished service of high order.

Wing Commander Kshounish Chandra Sinha (4856) was commissioned in the Medical Branch of the Indian Air Force in March, 1955.

Wing Commander Sinha has been associated with the Institute of Aviation Medicine since October 1963. In the Department of Physiology, he has built up a fine laboratory having Environmental Cardio-pulmonary, Metabolic and Biochemistry Sections. His efforts have enabled the Institute to undertake sophisticated research in the respective fields, and in establishing a rational basis of post graduate studies in the field of Aviation Medicine which have helped an all round growth and efficiency of the Institute.

Wing Commander Sinha has conducted a series of research projects on heat stress on pilots, with an endeavour to find out ways and means to prevent the effects of heat stress which affect flying efficiency of the pilots and endangers flight safety. On the basis of his findings, many preventive measures have been incorporated in the form of airconditioning of crew rooms and provisioning of protective cover to parked aircraft. Many other preventive measures suggested by him have been tried in the field and found effective in enhancing aircrew flying efficiency. Some of them have been accepted and some are in the process of being implemented. He has published a series of scientific papers in various scientific journals on various topics of aero-medical interest of utmost importance.

Another significant contribution of Wing Commander Sinha has been in establishing the facilities for research in the field of Ergonomics at the Institute, with a view to evolve a method of determining physical work efficiency of ground duty personnel under tropical climatic conditions and to suggest preventive measures against its illeffects. This study also aims at exploring the possibilities of rehabilitating cardiac cases into useful occupations after their recovery. He has also compiled data on the norms of Pulmonary Function Tests of Indian subjects, thus eliminating the confusion created by the dependence on European standards. His finding on the disorder of carbohydrate metabolism following head injury has been one of the pioneering works in the field. The same has been reproduced in the abstract form in NASA bibliography. His finding is one of the most well authenticated data on the subject available at present. Wing Commander Kshounish Chandra Sinha is a well known figure in the field of Physiology and Aviation Medicine. His contribution in this field is enormous. His excellent all round performance both in the Institute and various national and international seminars has won him the recognition as an 'Expert' in the Armed Forces Medical Research Committee. He is also one of the referees of the Armed Forces Medical Journal. He has rendered distinguished service, of a high order and is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Som has held various administrative appointments and carried out his duties in the best traditions of the service. He was chosen as a member of the Computer Feasibility Team with a view of Computerisation of AOA's branch. It was in the field of computerisation that his qualities and capabilities found their ultimate expression. The reports written by him, complete with System Designs have been accepted by the expert body of the Ministry of Defence.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for professional efficiency, devotion to duty and distinguished service of a high order.

Squadron Leader Om Dutt Sharma has held various important administrative and staff appointments. In all the assignments he has shown immense capacity for hard work, high degree of professional ability and accurate planning. He kept himself duly with various problems and vigorously persued action for successful completion of the task. His exemplary staff work, clarity of thought and expression were of immense help to all concerned.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of a high order.

29565 Master Warrant Officer Madvi Venkatram Vaidya had been serving with an operational Wing since June, 1973.

His temperament, fresh ideas along with his initiative and creativity proved invaluable in starting new projects for the welfare of personnel which have kept their morale at its highest. He was a key figure in opening a Fair Price Cooperative Store at the Wing and has single handedly maintained the same. He also showed great zeal and excellent manmanagement in opening a Children's School.

As the Station Warrant Officer, he has maintained a high standard of discipline at the Wing. By his exemplary conduct, impeccable turn out, high sense of integrity, loyalty and selfless devotion to duty he has set an inspiring example to his men.

Throughout, Master Warrant Officer Madvi Venkatram Vaidya has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Master Warrant Officer John Bala Chandran has served with distinction as a Ground Training Instructor at various Training Establishments. Numerous Physical Training and Gymnastic displays over the years, in the Training Command units, bore eloquent testimony of his professional skill and dedicated hard work.

While serving as an instructor at a Ground Training School, with his outstanding trade proficiency and supervisory capacity, he improved the standard of Ground Training Instructors and organised junior volley-ball and Air Force wrestling championship with credit.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for trade proficiency and distinguished service of a high order.

Master Warrant Officer Dahiya has served the Air Force with distinction. In 1967, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff for his distinguished service and devotion to duty. He was 'Mentioned-in-Despatches' during the Indo-Pak war 1971. During his tenure at one of the Signals units, he carried out the maintenance of equipment so efficiently that the unit has never had any major technical break down. He devised a very simple modification by which the over heating of relays was reduced.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for exceptional skill, leadership and distinguished service of a high order.

18718 Warrant Officer Muthu Mark Oliver was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in April, 1943. During his career of over 31 years he has served in a variety of units and has acquitted himself creditably. He earned commendation by the Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Western Air Command in 1968 and Commendation by the Chief of the Air Staff in 1971. Ha has also earned the appreciation of the Commander Bonny Jack Mission, USA for his excellent performance of liaison duties with the Mission in 1971.

Warrant Officer Oliver has been serving as the Warrant Officer in-charge of Repair and Servicing Section, Station Workshop and Daily Servicing Section at the Fighter Training Wing since November, 1971. During the IndoPakistan war 1971, there was an acute shortage of technicians at the Training Wing due to their utilisation for operational assignments. Being the only Fitter 1 at the Training Wing, he took upon himself the complete responsibility of servicing the aircraft and ensuring quick turn round of aircraft for training tasks. With his excellent professional skill, and high organising ability, he maintained a high state of aircraft serviceability and thereby contributed significantly towards the successful completion of the flying training tasks at the Training Wing. In carrying out of his tasks he displayed leadership, infinite capacity for sustained hard work with utter disregard to his personal comfort, high technical and administrative ability, ingenuity, loyalty and self-discipline. He took keen interest in various sports and cultural activities His professional skill, indefatigable industry, concern for welfare of his men and meticulous turn out have always been a source of inspiration to his men.

Throughout his career, Warrant Officer Muthu Mark Oliver has rendered distinguished service of a

high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Warrant Officer Diwan Chand was serving as Warrant Officer in-charge of the Daily Servicing Section of the Helicopter Training School. During 1972-73 the service ability state of BELL Helicopter was very critical, while the school was committed with heavy flying tasks of three courses a year. Warrant Officer Diwan Chand with ingenuity of mind and technical skill worked with his men round the clock to produce enough serviceable aircraft and finish the flying training tasks in time.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service e of a high order.

47308 Warrant Officer Elamkulathu Narayanan Nair was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in July, 1944. Since October, 1971 he has been serving as Unit Warrant Officer of an operational Squadron.

During his 2 ½ years stay in the squadron, Warrant Officer Nair has displayed zeal and devotion to duty of a high order. Being responsible to maintain discipline at the unit, he carried out his duties very effectively and maintained a high standard of discipline amongst the airmen. He has also taken keen interest in the welfare of airmen.

Warrant Officer Nair has also been in the forefront in sports activities and was responsible for the unit winning the championship in the unit sports meet of the Station during the past two successive years. He was also responsible for organising and bringing all unit functions to great success. He has been instrumental in maintaining high morale amongst the airmen of the unit.

The new Squadron Site of the Squadron was a wild jungle. He brought a large area surrounding the Squadron under vegetable cultivation. He has been a hard task master and he saw to it that any job that was entrusted to him was completed in an expedit ious and most satisfactory manner. His capacity for hard work, devotion to duty, initiative and resourcefulness have been a constant source of inspiration to his men.

Throughout, Warrant Officer Elamkulathu Narayanan Nair has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

WO (then Flt Sgt) Dass has been serving with an operational squadron since 1969. He has, by his high technical knowledge and initiative, undertaken major rectification work at forward bases and has ensured a very high state of serviceability of aircraft despite limitations. His devotion to duty and capacity for sustained hard work has been a source of inspiration to the Squadron airmen.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for professional skill, hard work and distinguished service of a high order.

236722 Flight Sergeant Deba Prosad Roy, Radar Mechanic has been serving as an Instructor with a Ground Training School since August 1969. He has all along shown outstanding professional ability in the performance of his duties.

When a highly sophisticated foreign electronic training equipment became unserviceable and hampered the training of trainees, Flt Sgt Roy with great determination and confidence in his professional skill volunteered to take up the repair of this equipment in addition to his normal duties. He collected the requisite data and the technical know how from various local organizations like Bharat Electronics Limited and LRDE. Although the spares were not available, he undertook an extensive, and labourious survey of local market and located suitable substitute spares.

Mainly working during his off duty hours and over and above his normal load of instructional duty, he was able to service this sophisticated equipment within a period of 3 months. This achievement of Flt Sgt Roy not only saved precious foreign exchange over Rupees 2 lakhs to the state but was a great boost to the Radar Operator training in the Unit.

Flight Sergeant Deba Prosad Roy with high degree of professional skill, hard work and initiative beyond call of his normal duties has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

250805 Corporal Kaippilly Radhakrishnan, Fitter II Airframe has been working in the Daily Servicing Section of a Jet Bomber Conversion Unit since April, 1972. During this period he has displayed a high sense of duty, professional skill, determination and flight safety consciousness.

Corporal Radhakrishnan was responsible for detecting the causes of unserviceabilities of aircraft on a number of occasions. On 15th March, 1974 while carrying out turn round servicing on a Canberra aircraft he found the pipe line assembly chaffed. Earlier on 2nd February, 1974 while carrying progressive hours group 'B' servicing on a Canberra aircraft he detected a major crack on the nose undercarriage port door bracket. On 8th February, 1974 while carrying out last flight servicing on a Canberra aircraft he detected the special bolt on the lever lock radius and assembly of nose undercarriage broken. He immediately reported these defects to his superiors and rendered invaluable assistance in carrying out repairs.

The high order of sincerity, devotion to duty and flight safety consciousness displayed by Corporal Kaippilly Radhakrishnan are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force. He has rendered distinguished service of high order.

Wing Commander (now Gp Capt) Tilak was posted to an important Air Force Establishment after successfully completing the Masters Degree in Technology from Princeton University, USA. Realising quite early in the career that in a modern Air Force the flying ability must be backed by sound technical knowledge, he completed B. Tech course successfully. He was offered a scholarship by the Princeton University USA for the Master's Degree Course in technology. This two years Master's degree course he completed in 15 months by virtue of his tenacity of purpose and unwavering determination.

Wing Commander Yubraj Singh Pal (3703) Accounts was commissioned on 4th November 1949 and since then has held several important appointments.

He was posted to Air Force Central Accounts Office in September, 1971. As Officer in-charge Officers' Pay Section he has organized the Section and streamlined its functions so well that audit objections were brought to nil by June, 1974. Through his efforts, he has made it possible for officers/ civilians retiring from service to draw their fund balance immediately after retirement from DSOP Fund and General Provident Fund accounts. He has done extensive research into the causes of delay in the finalization of non-effective accounts and has introduced certain bold and effective measure to counter them.

In the field of computerization, he has carried out detailed system studies which helped in reducing the mistakes. At the time of take over of more than a lakh provident fund accounts he was responsible for compiling a correct membership list and reconciling the subscription rate with the ledger cells.

He has been responsible for the fast, accurate and efficient implementation of the new Pay Coder. He took on himself all the burdens of refixation of pay of officer and calculation of arrears thereby relieving the units of a heavy load of work. This involved the fixation of pay of about 8500 effective and 500 non-effective accounts, reassessment of about 1,40,000 rent bills and recalculation of income tax for every officer. This work was finalized under his direction in a record time and every officer was paid his arrears by February, 1975.

In all assignments, he has worked with devotion and exceptional efficiency.

Wing Commander Shalgram Parhee was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the IAF in August 1951. By his exceptional intelligence and application, he proved an asset in various appointments held by him.

As Senior Technical Officer in of the Radar Stations, he was instrumental in arranging and compiling detailed maintenance and training instructions on the main Radar and other ancillary equipment. He was an instructor in the Fighter Controllers Course where he with his deep understanding of the equipment, he was able to provide the maximum operational training for the pilots. At an operational Command, by careful planning and innate forethought, he was able to provide communication facilities to the far flung units under the Command inspite of limited resources in equipment and manning.

In Signals Base Repair Depot, he was entrusted with responsibility of organizing repair and overhaul of Signals and Navigation Aids and he discharged this responsibility with thoroughness and professional skill. He successfully carried out the evaluation of one of the indigenous developed light portable Radars in inclement weather conditions and at great heights. As in-charge of design and development electronic warfare equipment at a Signals Unit, he displayed exemplary leadership, devotion to duty, dogged determination and organizing ability in fabricating and quickly proving the equipment so that these are operationally available at the shortest possible time.

Wing Commander Parhee joined a special project in November, 1970. He has shown rare insight in planning and developing the proposed sophisticated system, evaluating impact of the system on existing communication network and determining the support requirements. He applied himself with unparalleled devotion to duty, untiring zeal and accomplished the task resulting in considerable savings in the overall cost of the project. By his initiative, meticulous planning and excellent leadership backed by technical knowledge, he was able to complete the task of site survey and system engineering of far flung sites in inaccessible mountainous areas on schedule. In 1974, Wg Cdr Parhee was deputed to a post abroad which called for technical knowledge, maturity and tact. In accomplishing the tasks Wing Commander Parhee showed extreme competence, rare judgment and technical skill, qualities which have been the hall-mark of his long and distinguished career.

Wing Commander (now Gp Capt) Puri during the early years of his service participated extensively in supply dropping missions in NEFA and Nagaland. Thereafter, he did a Night Fighter Course abroad and served in Night Air Defence Role in two operational squadrons. During his tenure as Staff Officer (Air) in the Cabinet Secretariat (Military Wing), he has distinguished himself in rendering excellent staff work for the conduct and deliberation of various committees of Higher Defence Organisation. He has written a number of papers on strategic issues, defence production and personnel problems in the Air Force.

Wing Commander Ashok Sarkar was commissioned in the Logistics Branch in March 1953. Since then he has held many important staff appointments and also served as member of Air Force delegations proceeding abroad.

In January 1972, he joined the staff of a composite supersonic aircraft cell at Air Headquarters. He has been primarily responsible for effecting the reorganization of this important cell. By dint of his sustained hard work much beyond the call of duty, perseverance, personal example, ingenuity, skill and considerable man-management techniques, he has particularly instrumental in streamlining the provisioning the entire range of spares and equipment for the first line aircraft. The high serviceability rate of this aircraft fleet and its consequent operational preparedness own in no small measure to his untiring efforts, high professional zeal and competence. Besides, it was solely due to Wg Cdr Sarkar's wholehearted energy and enthusiasm that a beginning has been made in the compilation of the alphanumeric catalogues of spares which is already bearing fruit in proper identification of items, quick clearance of demands, regulated and rationa lized holdings and in servicing of aircraft.

During April-May 1974, Wg Cdr Sarkar was hand picked as a member of the high powered Defence Delegation that visited USSR. His penetrating insight and clear concept of out logistic requirement vis-à-vis the intricate knowledge of the Russian supply set up and system, coupled with his capacity for mastering all relevant details was mainly responsible in rendering the Delegation's task simpler and easier. By arduously working long hours with sustained zeal and enthusiasm, totally unmindful of his own personnel inconvenience, Wg Cdr Sakrar had been instrumental for the significant achievement and success of the Delegation's mission.

Notwithstanding many odds and constraints like limited manpower resources, Wing Commander Sarkar has now upon himself the onerous responsibilities of logistics management of two of the supersonic aircraft weapon system.

Wg Cdr Sarakar has displayed exemplary leadership, professional skill and competence and has thus rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Hardip Singh Goraya was commissioned in the Flying (Pilot) Branch in November, 1954. During his distinguished career, he has held a number of flying and staff appointments in which he has acquitted himself credibly.

He has been holding the appointment of Staff Officer in the Air Staff of an operational Command since Feb 1973. The officer has discharged his responsibilities with great vigour and vitality. His willingness to probe deeply into problems and go into the minutest detail, combined with his readiness to put in long hours of hard work resulted in formulation and execution of perfect plans and programmes. He has single-handedly produced a number of papers on the future plans of the Command. He has also been responsible for the planning of 1973, 1974 and 1975 Annual Command Exercises. Especially with regard to the planning of the 1975 exercise, his contribution was almost total. In the conduct of these exercise also the officer up a great load on himself earning the appreciation of his superiors.

Wing Commander Goraya has proved himself to be an outstanding officer of unusual ability and has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Srinivasan Krishanaswamy (4948) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in the IAF in 1956. He had a brilliant academic career and passed out first in his Technical Course from Air Force Technical College. As a member of design team in the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited working on an advanced high performance fighter aircraft, he undertook the responsibility of designing supposed aerials and advanced instrumentation system. Though basically an electronic engineer, he spared no effort in mastering the Airframe and Stress Analysis techniques.

He also specialized in vibration analysis studies, which is a very important consideration for the safety of aircraft and of special interest to system designers. With great confidence, competence and outstanding professional knowledge, he was able to introduce new airborne navigational systems so as to increase the operational capability of our front line aircraft.

He successfully completed the installation of a sophisticated electronic equipment on a maritime aircraft in record time and personally undertook extensive flying to give 'On the Job Training' to Navigators. He carried out 100 hours of test flying on Maritime Reconnaissance Operational sorties as system instructor and Electronics Engineer.

On the formation of the system engineering organization under Ministry of Defence, this officer was one of the few to join the organization. He was a member of the team charged with the responsibility of preparing a comprehensive document (Statement of Works) covering all aspects of a reliable and sophisticated communication system. This officer displayed great deal of initiative and competence in a variety of filed both theoretical and practical.

In 1973, this officer was selected to represent the country at an International Conference on Telecommunication. He made significant technical contribution at this conference which was attended by the top-most experts in this field. For the past one year this officer has been engaged in the planning and design of a fully automatic per formance monitoring system. He has with his characteristic brilliance and foresight succeeded in designing a system which is amongst the most advanced in this field.

By his personal example and leadership he groomed the young officers under him systematically and methodically. His selfless devotion to duty earned him the admiration and affection of the officers and staff who worked with him.

Wing Commander Srinivasan Krishanaswamy, by his superior professional skill, hard work and dynamic leadership has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Cecil Barretto (5232) Dental was commissioned in the Dental Corps in February, 1945. After having had his basic training, he was posted to No. 4 Army Dental Centre at Rawalpindi. After a short spell as a Dental Officer there, he was posted as OIC of 35 Ind Army Dental Centre and served till end of the war in that Dental Centre which was attached to 14 Ind Div. During his stay with 14 Ind Div he carried out dental inspection and treatment of among troops with the exceptional sense of duty and ensured that there was no man day lost among them. After the Second World War he served as Officer Commanding Military Dental Centre at various stations with devotion and selflessness.

Immediately after independence, he was posted to J&K as Officer in-charge No. 8 Military Dental Centre when Indian Army troops were inducted to fight the Pakistani Marauders in J&K State. He performed his duty during the course of his stay there with extreme devotion and unparalleled efficiency.

After he was seconded to the Air Force, he has served at different Air Force Stations with an exceptional good record of service. His professional skill and noteworthy manners of treatment are highly spoken of by all Air Force personnel and their families. At present this officer is commanding Military Dental Centre Panaji which is giving cover to a large number of army troops stationed there. Besides, he is called upon to look after the troops of the other services as and when stationed there.

Throughout, Wing Commander Cecil Barretto has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Raj Kumar Mahajan (5251) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in the IAF in September, 1956. He has held many important appointments both in operational units and on the staff at Air Headquarters. He took over the Command of a Technical Squadron of a Surface to Air Guided Weapons Complex on 19th March, 1973 and set to work with missionary zeal in determined effort to raise the standard of his unit to an exemplary level to enhance maintenance of technical equipment and vehicles of the Complex. Faced with numerous problems of unserviceability of equipment, shortage of spare parts and lack of experienced personnel, Wg Cdr Mahajan with outstanding leadership, initiative and personal example inspired his men to bring up operational readiness of his unit and accomplished the difficult task of training his crews to very high standard of efficiency thereby winning the best Technical Squadron Trophy for the year 1973-74. He continued to work with commendable energy, single minded devotion and perserverence and further improved the operational preparedness of his Squadron to an excellent standard. By active involvement, guidance and ingenuity he has also made significant contribution in the attainment of a very high standard of maintenance and serviceability of technical equipment and specialist vehicles in the Complex.

Wing Commander Virendra Nath Bhargava (5288) Medical was commissioned on 7th January, 1957 and within two and half years of service was graded as a medical specialist. Since then he has been working in various Hospitals and Establishments.

A classified specialist who has distinguished himself in academics with specialization in Cardiology in the United Kingdom, he has been an asset wherever he has been posted.

As a Staff Surgeon to the Chief of the Air Staff, he has shown considerable initiative and zeal in modernizing the treatment of diseases and bringing his medical unit to a high level of efficiency. He has displayed professional skill of a very high order, and carried out his duties with credit and dedication beyond the normal call of duty. This has resulted in high morale and a sense of well being among the Air Force personnel.

Wing Commander Virendra Nath Bhargava is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for rendering meritorious and distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Raghavan Gopalaswamy (5826) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Engineering Branch of the Air Force on 1st December, 1959.

Wing Commander Gopalaswamy was responsible during November 1961 to August 1975 for pioneering, guiding and directing the work of development of liquid propulsion systems for guided weapons in India. The bulk of this work has been taken up by him in the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad. This work which is entirely indigenous has laid down the foundation for the development of range of liquid rocket power plants for short and long range guided weapons and rockets.

Wing Commander Gopalaswamy is today one of the top Rocket Propulsion technologists in India. By his pioneering and dedicated efforts of an exceptional order over a long period of 13 years and in the face of unsurmountable difficulties he has estab lished a vital breakthrough and competence in our country in the design, development and testing of the entire spectrum of liquid propulsion engines for rockets and missiles.

Wing Commander Raghavan Gopalaswamy is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for the distinguished service of a high order and for self-reliance and propulsion technology in rockets and guided missiles.

Squadron Leader Birendra Kumar Nigam (5155) Education was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April, 1956. He is one of the few trained Psychological Officers in the Air Force and has served as a Psychological first in No. 1 Air Force Selection Board and later as Senior Psychological Officer in No. 2 Air Force Selection Board. When serving as an Education Officer at No. 2 and 5 Ground Training Schools in 1956 and 1960, he imparted instruction in English to the first batch of Afghan and Indonesian airmen sent to India. The officer devised a special syllabus and at considerable pains prepared training notes and aids. He was the founder member of No. 2 Air Force Selection Board, Mysore where he served from 1962 to 1966. As the Senior Psychological Officer, he set up the Psychological Section from the scratch. In addition, he imparted practical training to the newly appointed Psychologists besides attending many administrative problems associated with the formation of a new Unit.

As Senior Education Officer of Air Force Station, New Delhi from 1966 to 1970, he with his initiative successfully expanded the educational facilities for the Air Force children. As Secretary of three Air Force Schools in Delhi he improved the standard of education of all the schools as well as the state of finances to a great extent. He also successfully officiated as the Principal of Air Force Central School for a short period. At another Air Force Station, finding that the Station Central School was not in a position to accommodate all the service children he developed the Station Nursery School into a recognized middle school.

In December, 1972, Sqn Ldr Nigam was posted to Headquarters No. 1 Operational Group as Officer in-Charge 'P' Staff. With hardly any past experience in this sphere, he took up his assignment as a challenge. Single handed, with inadequate staff he set about the task of setting up the administrative branch in right earnest and with enthusiasm. By his personal example and hard work, he has in a short time organized the section on sound footing. In addition, the responsibility of carrying out duties of Group Education Officer also fell on him. It is to his sheer hard work and dedicated work, without adequate staff, that the Group has been able to maintain an efficient control over the educational activities of the units. He is an example of a mature, dedicated and highly efficient officer and thus has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Squadron Leader Janak Kapur (5585) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 29th May, 1958. Since then he has served in five different air defence squadrons. He is fully operational on subsonic and supersonic fighters and has done a large number of flying hours.

In carrying out his flying duties over the last 16 years, he has displayed great abilities as a fighter pilot and commander. He possesses courage, determination and professional competence of a high order. He is an example which has been emulated by his juniors.

Squadron Leader Janak Kapur is also a keen, disciplined and dedicated staff officer. He accepts responsibilities entrusted to him cheerfully and carries them out efficiently. With his qualities, he has proved to be of a very good pilot and an excellent administrator.

Squadron Leader Janak Kapur with his high sense of dedication to duty and great professional competence in the air and on ground has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Ranganath had a brilliant and distinguished academic career, which included two gold medals in the LLB Examination. As Officer-in-Charge Personnel-1 at Headquarters Training Command, he has handled the duties and jobs entrusted to him with utmost cheerfulness, diligence and competence. He was trained on aerial photography and has made significant contributions in the modi fication of two aircraft for aerial photographic roles. With his deep and clear knowledge of Air Force Law, Civil Law and various rules and regulations affecting personnel, he has been performing the duties connected with Courts Martial as well.

Squadron Leader Verma was posted as Assistant Director of Flight Safety after attending a specialist course in West Germany. In a short span of six months, he created and built up a truly professional Fight Safety magazine which has become a powerful tool for accident prevention in the Air Force. Through his efforts and selfless devotion to duty, aircraft accident rate has been considerably reduced.

Squadron Leader Jnan Ranjan Chatterjee (5851) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) joined the Air Force as a Wireless Operator in the year 1944. He was selected for flying duties as a Signaller (Air) in the year 1948. He stood first in the Signallers' (Air) Course and was detailed for instructional duties for Signallers from 1953 to 1958. As a Signaller he has flown 3829 hours on various operational and VVIP flights in a variety of transport aircraft. He was awarded Transport Aircrew Category 'A' which he has held for eight years. After successful completion of training at Air Force Technical College, he was granted Commission in the Technical Signals Branch in the year 1958.

He was posted as Senior Technical Officer at an operational unit in February, 1974. On taking over, he found that the radar set of his unit was due for major overhaul and replacement. The normal time estimated for this major task was 18 days. By applying management techniques, this officer planned, organized and executed the task in a remarkably short time of six days. During this period, the officer showed outstanding professional knowledge and exceptional administrative abilities and meticulous care for details.

On 25th March, 1974 the radar set became unserviceable. Though this repair task was beyond the normal scope of a front line unit, the officer with great confidence organized and accomplished the repair task within the unit resources. On 30th June, 1974 the set again became unserviceable. Though the task was beyond the scope of the unit, the officer with great zeal and single minded devotion got the repair carried out within the unit resources within six days.

The officer also displayed great ingenuity, professional skill and originality of thought by fabricating a cheap substitute component for which the foreign make Very High Frequency Radio Vehicle was lying unserviceable for about 18 months. The officer is also responsible for enhancing the life of a filter in a foreign make generating set. This has helped in saving of Rs. 200 per month in this unit alone.

Squadron Leader Jnan Ranjan Chatterjee, throughout his service career has displayed qualities of originality, leadership, innovation, capacity for hard work, consummate skill and thoroughness for details. He has thus rendered distinguished service of high order.

Squadron Leader Lath resolved the identification problem of stores of foreign make by hard work and study in depth. He established all the detailed information required in respect of the stores indented and then with the assistance of the staff built up a system whereby the required information is collected and suitably recorded. He also planned and put into effect a system of thorough scrutiny of 'Production Holds Up' demands and diligently progressed procurement action on them. He also evolved a method to ensure that locally procurable stores are always available by resorting to their purchase well in time. He has established a sound provisioning system at a big and very important Base Repair Depot of the Air Force.

Squadron Leader Sharma was posted to a Base Repair Depot after completing the post graduate course in Electronics and Control Engineering from Cranfield, U.K. He has not only performed the allotted functions of Industrial Engineer but has solved a large number of production problems thus helping maximise production. He developed a layout plan for the abinitio installation of Navigation System in a bomber aircraft. He was also associated with the development of a warning, radar system where he was responsible for design and fabrication of essential components of the system, fitment in the aircraft and flight trials. He has successfully designed and fabricated Antenna lifting jacks for surveillance radar of an Air Defence Complex.

Squadron Leader Man Mohan Singh Ahluwalia (6809) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in November, 1962. He was posted to an Operational Squadron in September, 1973. In the capacity as the Senior Technical Officer of the Squadron, this-officer set out to reorganise the technical section of the squadron to achieve maximum productivity with minimum manpower utilisation. He also undertook the direct responsibility of training all technical tradesmen to achieve a proficiency standard that was essential in the maintenance of the sophisticated aircraft that the Squadron had recently acquired.

Ever since Squadron Leader Ahluwalia took over Senior Technical Officer of the Squadron, aircraft serviceability state started to show marked improvement. With careful planning and scheduling of inspection, correct fault diagnosis and speedy snag rectification he was able to sustain a high percentage of aircraft serviceability which is now considered as a record among supersonic squadrons in the Indian Air Force. Due to his earnest and tireless effort the Squadron was able to meet the flying task regularly every month. Squadron Leader Man Mohan Singh Ahluwalia has displayed exemplary qualities as a manager and organiser and his professional skill and devotion to duty are praiseworthy. He has rendered distinguished service of a high order, for which he is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Mohinder Singh (6870) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the January, 1963. He is commanding a Repair and Salvage Unit since 21st February, 1972, which provided 3rd line servicing cover for aircraft of units in Western and Rajasthan sectors.

The officer worked out repair schemes for aircraft having structural damage due to accidents or fatigue which at times is beyond the normal scope of the unit. Some of the items for repairs, which would have taken a long time to materialize ex-India at a high cost, were improvised due to his ingenuity and repairs were executed in the shortest possible time. The officer with his initiative, organizational ability, high technical skill and leadership has been instrumental in developing the unit into a very proficient and well knit team thus enabling it to carry out repairs much beyond the normal task for a Repair and Salvage Unit. The prompt action by the unit has cut down the aircraft "ground time" to a very large extent which in turn has helped the Squadrons to sustained high serviceability and grater aircraft utilization. His leadership and guidance in evacuating a category 'B' Helicopter from Keylong Helipad in Lahul and Spiti Valley to a Base Repair Dept through hazardous and difficult roads, has been extremely praiseworthy.

Throughout his service career, Squadron Leader Mohinder Singh has displayed a very high degree of initiative, resourcefulness and perseverance. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for rendering the distinguished service of a high order.

Squadron Leader Sivalingam has been incharge of repairs of a particular Fighter aircraft at a Base Repair Depot. For the task year 1973-74, when he was there production registered an all time record of 27 aircraft. During the months preceding the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971, he succeeded in completing production of nine aircraft in one month, again an all time record. He has done pioneering work in several projects concerning this type of aircraft, which includes successful modification of the aircraft for installation of a new Navigation system, Camera and coloured smoke emission system. Besides, he carried out a feasibility study of important modification to improve the operational performance of the aircraft.

Squadron Leader Reddy is currently holding fighter controller's category 'A'. While on the strength of an operational Signals Unit, he was entrusted with the challenging job of Unit Training Director. He was able to impart theoretical and practical knowledge to all fighter controllers posted to the Western sector as also a number of fighter controllers from other sectors and Commands. Thus he has brought about a marked improvement in the operational standard of all the fighter controllers in the sector. He has also been actively associated as Sector Operations Officer, Sector Director or Intercept Director in all the Air Defence exercises conducted since his posting to the unit.

A severe cyclone hit Jamnagar from the evening of till the early hours of 23 Oct 75 during which the wind went upto 180 km/hr. Squadron Leader Ramakrishna was officiating as Chief Operation Officer, right from the tine of receiving the initial warning personally supervised picketing of aircraft and himself got down the task along with various parties. During the hours of heavy gale, rain and darkness the officer went round from aircraft to aircraft and continued his supervision by walking in knee deep water in total darkness. The Officer's supervision of and guidance to gale parties was instrumental in saving a number of aircraft.