Wing Commander Sudhanshu Kumar Adaval joined the Armed Forces in 1962, after having obtained MD in Pathology & Bacteriology and having worked as a teacher in Pathology for 3 years at MGM Medical College, Indore. He was one of the first few postgraduates in Pathology in the Armed Forces in 1962. Soon after commissioning, he was graded as a Pathologist and was given the task of starting a Pathology Laboratory for the Air Force.

In 1968, while posted at AF Hospital, Secunderabad, Wg Cdr SK Adaval coordinated single-handed the handing over of the Military Hospital, Bangalore to the Air Force. He was appointed Classified Specialist in Pathology as well as Post Intermediate Teacher of the Pune University.

While posted to Air Force Hospital Kanpur, during 1974-76, he trained Medical Assistants for participation in the InterCommand Technical Training Competitions. While posted at the Institute of Aviation Pathology and as a Member of the Faculty of Medicine, he carried out several AFMRC research projects in addition to devoting himself to work in his own field.

In 1981, Wg Cdr SK Adaval was specially selected, from South East Asia, for a World Health Organisation Fellowship in Laboratory Quality Control Studies and was trained in some of the prestigious institutions of the world. In 1982 Wg Cdr SK Adaval was associated with the medical fitness criteria of the Indian Cosmonauts for the Project Pawan and was the chief coordinator for medical fitness of a large number of candidates.

For his exceptional academic attainments, outstanding performance in the field of Aviation Pathology and commendable contribution to the Project Pawan, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Sudhanshu Kumar Adaval.

Wing Commander Dinesh Chandra Dhyani has been on the posted strength of a major Air Force Station since Mar 83. He was commissioned in the Administration Branch in 1962 and later successfully completed an ad-hoc ATC Course.

In 1966, he was posted as Senior Air Traffic Controller at the Pilot Training Establishment, Allahabad. When this unit was moved to Bidar, Wg Cdr Dhyani led the advance party and undertook the task of setting up the Air Traffic Services at Bidar. This task was completed successfully and pilot training commenced on time. Between 1967-1971, while on deputation to HAL, Nasik Division, he was responsible, as SATCO, to set up not only the complete Air Traffic Control Services, but also ATC procedures for the surveillance Radar ensuring safe flying environments.

During the 1971 Indo-Pak operations, while he was SATCO at an Air Force Station in the Eastern Sector, he executed the task of re-organising the air traffic set-up from an alternate location in record time. Later in 1972, he was also appointed Command ATC Examiner. As SATCO of an Operational Command, he actively involved himself in the planning of various air exercises, Republic Day Fly Past and Fire-power Demonstration. All these required close coordination between ATC services of the Air Force and the DGCA. In every case, the planning and execution was done harmoniously and no untoward incident occurred.

Throughout his service career, Wg Cdr Dhyani has carried out with zeal, dedication and diligence not only his primary tasks, but also any other task entrusted to him.

For his outstanding professional skill, leadership and distinguished service of a very high order, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Dinesh Chandra Dhyani.

Wing Commander Kukkehalli Prabakar Hegde was commissioned into the Air Force on 27 Feb 63. In the initial part of his career he successfully completed Paratroopers, Snow Survival and ATMO Courses and served as a Medical Officer in various Air Force units with distinction. He was selected for specialist training in Medicine in Jul 67. He completed the same successfully in Jul 69 and having stood first in the course was selected for appointment as Tutor in the Armed Forces Medical College. He obtained MD (Med) in 1974 from the Pune University.

He has been serving as a Medical Specialist since Jul 69. Having served with credit as a specialist at three Air Force Hospitals and the Air Force Central Medical Establishment, he was appointed Staff Surgeon to the Chief of the Air Staff in Nov 81.

He is a very dedicated specialist who carries out his professional duties with missionary zeal and total disregard for personal comfort or convenience. His professional competence combined with humility has earned him the admiration of one and all. He has set the highest standards of professionalism and doctor-patient relationship which are worthy of emulation by others. His cool composure under crisis is commendable.

In recognition of his outstanding services and devotion to duty of a high order, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Kukkehalli Prabakar Hegde.

Wing Commander Bawa Guru Pratap Singh Bhalla was commissioned into the Flying Branch in Jun 63. He was first in order of merit in his course and was awarded the Sword of Honour. He has flown 5150 hours, mainly on trainer and heavy transport aircraft, of which 1170 hours were for instructional flying on the AN-12 aircraft. He was thrice commended for outstanding performance in the air.

Since 1979, when due to a defect in his vision, he was transferred to the Administrative Branch, he has served as SO to DCAS, Air Headquarters, SO to AOC-in-C, EAC and as the Coord Officer, HQ Western Air Command. He has worked most diligently and for very long hours. He has ensured excellent coordination in staff activities, and displayed admirable tact and courtesy in dealing with other defence services, para-military organisations and civil authority.

For his distinguished service of a very high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Bawa Guru Pratap Singh Bhalla.

Wing Commander Harbans Perminder Singh assumed the command of a missile squadron on 19 April 82. He has flown over 4700 hrs on transport and bomber aircraft. For his active participation during the 1971 IndoPak conflict, he was awarded Vir Chakra.

Immediately, on taking over the command of the unit, he set about the task of reorienting the squadron with the clear aim of making it operationally viable. The terrain of operation, being uneven and sandy, movement of heavy trailers and vehicles was difficult. He realised the compelling necessity of operating the combat flights from their operational sites. To achieve this task, he carried out detailed reconnaissance and, exercising initiative and resourcefulness, carried out a large number of mobility exercises. The new methods and innovations devised by him to improve operational mobility were highly appreciated.

Under his dynamic leadership and professional guidance, the squadron acquitted itself very creditably during all inspections and exercises. The operational status of the unit, viz. the functioning of the squadron, its training, upkeep of equipment, specialist and common user vehicles, is commendable. His squadron performed exceedingly well in the Air Defence Exercises and proved its combat worthiness.

The officer is highly service-oriented, selfmotivated and totally dedicated to the cause of the Air Force. He stands out as a dynamic commander with an enthusiastic approach to all intricate problems and is always willing to shoulder any responsibility, however onerous it may be.

For his selfless devotion to duty, resourcefulness in tackling operational problems, diligence and dedicated application to all service matters, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Harbans Perminder Singh.

Wing Commander Kumbhapati Venugopala Krishna Sastry was commissioned in the IAF in Jun 63. He is a qualified Fighter Controller with the highest category rating. Having served in various operational Radar Signals units, he has attained very high proficiency in his profession.

For his Air Defence background and professional excellence, he was specially selected and posted to the Programming and Simulation Centre, Bombay, on its inception in 1974, to work with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research for the development of the Automatic Data Handling System. TIFR is the agency responsible for development of the ADHS project and was handicapped due to lack of adequate software experts with the requisite Air Defence background and skill. Wg Cdr Sastry took up this challenge and, on his own, acquired the intricate knowledge of real time software by studying the limited technical literature available in the world on the subject. With this newly acquired knowledge and the Air Defence background, he made a significant contribution to the development of the operational software package for the Automatic Data Handling System. The radar tracking software, the heart of the ADHS software, developed personally by Wg Cdr Sastry, is comparable to such software available anywhere in the world.

On his promotion to the rank of Wg Cdr in 1981 the officer was assigned the command of the Programming and Simulation Centre. By dint of his professional expertise, personal example of intelligence and dedicated hard work, at the expense of personal comforts, Wg Cdr Sastry built up a very efficient software team.

For his initiative, dedication, unique achievement and pioneering efforts in the field of the Automatic Data Handling System, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Kumbhapati Venugopala Krishna Sastry.

Wing Commander Satyamurti Sridhar was commissioned in the Air Force on 08 Oct 63. An engineering officer of proven capability, he has held important field and staff appointments as Chief Engineering Officer of a front-line base, Chief Ground Instructor of the Test Pilot School, Officer Incharge Overhaul of rotables at a Base Repair Depot, and Engineering Officer at a helicopter unit. Presently, he is Chief Engineering Officer of a base in the Eastern Sector.

During his tenure as C Eng O at an operational base, he maintained a very high serviceability of aircraft and constantly guided his officers and men in achieving this feat. He was responsible for recovery of two Chetak aircraft, from a height of 16,600 feet in the Eastern Sector. It was a laudable achievement. While carrying out this task, he worked with remarkable professional zeal and fabricated a sling which proved invaluable in the recovery of the helicopters.

In order to achieve the objective of producing and maintaining safe and reliable aircraft, Wg Cdr S Sridhar has inspired the technical personnel under him to follow correct maintenance practices. He has toiled ceaselessly and with determination to produce aircraft and maintain a very high serviceability state of aircraft with an accident-free record.

For his exceptional ability, devotion to duty and professional acumen of a high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Satyamurti Sridhar.

Wing Commander Dinesh Chander Nigam was commissioned into the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch in Oct 63. During his service career, he distinguished himself in such challenging assignments as management of guided weapon firing ranges and introduction of the GW equipment and its subsequent modification. He was Officer-in-Charge of Project ELINT and Tail Warning Systems which played a vital role in operations.

As Officer-in-Charge, he was responsible for technical evaluation, planning and execution of avionics projects of varied nature. In carrying out this task, he demonstrated technical acumen of a high order.

During his tenure as Officer-in-Change Avionics Modification Team, he was entrusted with the task of installation of Doppler Radar on the Canberra aircraft, Weather Radar on the Mi-8 helicopter and Omega Navigation System on the Avro, the Mi-8, the AN-12 and the Canberra TT aircraft as also trial installation of important secondary Radar on various MiG variants. When called upon to install and commission three sets of Weather Radars on the Mi-8 helicopters, earmarked for the third Antarctic Expedition, the officer undertook the task with zeal and determination and completed it within a short period of ten days, a commendable achievement by any standard. His technique of planning, procurement of installation material and fabrication of the required bracketry helped immensely in speedy completion of the installation task.

For his exemplary devotion to duty, able leadership, resourcefulness and diligence beyond the call of duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Dinesh Chander Nigam.

Wing Commander Manickam Chandrasekaran took over command of a Missile Squadron, in Dec 82, immediately after completion of the Pechora Guided Weapons Course.

In an incredibly short time, he became fully conversant with the complicated and varied systems and subsystems that constitute a Pechora Squadron, Simultaneously, he stepped up the training vigorously and exceeded the laid down targets. This had a salutary effect on the operational preparedness of the squadron, as was evident from its excellent performance in many air defence exercises.

The combat worthiness and operational state of the squadron were instrumental in its being selected as the best GW Squadron in the Command. The squadron was also nominated to represent the Command for the Guided Weapons Rolling Trophy and to man the GW Live Firing Range as the Duty Range Squadron.

He devoted special attention to maintaining a high serviceability state of the combat equipment and technical flight. The exemplary maintenance and condition of the specialist vehicles of his Squadron was appreciated by the Command and Air Headquarters.

The squadron moved one of its combat flights for medium repairs in Aug 83. The planning, organisation and execution of the move was appreciated by Air HQs. Wing Commander Chandrasekaran has made out a model SOP, which will be used by all squadrons for mobility operations.

For his hard work, dedication professionalism and leadership in the best traditions of the IAF, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Manickam Chandrasekaran.

Wing Commander Ayinapudi Vijay Pal was commissioned in Dec 64. During his service career, the officer has held important field and instructional appointments. For his exceptional work in training foreign students, he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff.

Since Mar 81, Wg Cdr Pal has been posted to a major Signal Unit. During his stay at this unit, this officer has displayed a very high sense of responsibility, trustworthiness and unwavering devotion to duty. He has always shouldered responsibilities with cheerfulness and resourcefulness.

His dedication and diligence have led to the unit winning the Best in Operation Trophy for three years in succession. With meticulous planning bolstered by his excellent organising ability, he set up a new THD Ops Room in record time. Also to his credit is the recovery of several friendly fighter aircraft and training of 82 outstation controllers. He has, in addition, made a significant contribution to improving the operational status of many Air Defence units.

For his diligence, outstanding professional competence, knowledge and distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Ayinapudi Vijay Pal.

Wing Commander Jagdish Singh Dalal was commissioned in December 1964. During his service career, he has distinguished himself in various challenging assignments at Wings and Equipment Depots.

During 1970-71, he excelled himself in the field of indigenous substitution of technical spares, which resulted in substantial saving of foreign exchange, for which he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff. Later, as Officer Commanding of an Equipment Depot, he took over aircraft equipment of the MiG-25 aircraft in record time which contributed substantially to the operational efficiency of the Air Force.

Wing Commander JS Dalal was posted to Air Headquarters on 04 July 83 and was entrusted with the responsibilities of finalisation of Courts of Inquiry, audit object ions and loss statements on stores losses, in addition to Annual Audit Certificates and Appropriation Accounts and Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. A sizeable number of them pertained to occurrences which were between three and twenty three years old and were causing grave concern at the highest level at Air Headquarters and Ministry of Defence. Undeterred by the heavy arrears and undaunted by the regular inflow of fresh cases, he formulated a crash plan and with his varied experience, missionary zeal and an analytical mind, he evaluated the circumstances under which those occurrences had taken place and made fresh comprehensive statements. His untiring efforts resulted in regularisation of a large number of outstanding cases, within the powers of the CAS.

For his outstanding devotion to duty, exceptional initiative, high professional knowledge, a keen sense of perception, sound pragmatic approach and untiring efforts extending beyond normal working hours, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Jagdish Singh Dalal.

Wing Commander Ramesh Chander Gosain was commissioned into the Air Force in May 1965. A fighter pilot of proven merit, he was awarded Vir Chakra for his gallant acts during the Indo-PakWar of 1971. He is a Fighter Combat Leader, and QFI with A2 Category. As Flight Commander in a frontline fighter squadron, he distinguished himself creditably leaving his mark of ingenuity, resourcefulness, professional competence and administrative skill of a very high order. All his qualities when coupled with his capacity to work hard under stress, acquired entirely new dimensions.

Since 10 May 1982, Wg Cdr RC Gosain has been holding the appointment of DDPO-I at Air Headquarters. His responsibilities entail posting of all officers upto the rank of Wg Cdr, acting promotions upto the rank of Sqn. Ldr., courses for all officers, temporary duty and attachment to and from Air Headquarters and Inter-Command attachment/ temporary duties, study leave, furlough and leave pending retirement, encashment of leave and regularisation of excess leave.

His tenure as DDPO-I has had to be a constant battle with increasing shortages of officers in all branches compounded by new inductions and new raisings, all to be manned effectively from existing resources. By sheer ingenuity, hard work, single-minded application and constant devotion to duty at great personal sacrifice, he has been mainly responsible for ensuring the viable manning state of all Air Force units in the rank structure of Wing Commanders and below, balanced manning at this rank level being most essential for the optimum achievement of the role/task, by the units.

For his diligence, sincerity, devotion to duty, integrity of the highest order and output beyond the call of duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Ramesh Chander Gosain.

Wing Commander Shiv Lal Chopra was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force on 25 Jun 65. During his 19 years of service, the officer has held several important field and staff assignments at major Stations and Wings and at Air Headquarters, besides having commanded two independent units. His performance all through has been imbued with sincerity of purpose, professional acumen and exceptional devotion to duty.

As the Station Adjutant of an Air Force Station, the officer displayed outstanding organising ability and exceptional devotion to duty. He displayed similar acumen in security and investigative operations, while performing such duties at Calcutta, at a time when the law and order in that region was a matter of concern to all.

In his present appointment, as Staff Officer to Air Officer-in-Charge Administration, Wg Cdr Chopra has continued to display his infinite capacity for hard work, cheerful disposition and a high sense of responsibility. Air Officer-in-Charge Administration is responsible for smooth functioning of works services, organisation, legal aspects and provost matters of the whole of the Air Force. The matters pertaining to the Accounts, NonPublic Funds, Group insurance Scheme and the Air Force Naval joint venture of Air Force Naval Housing Board need specialist and at the same time tactful handling. Through his varied experience, professionalism, maturity and genial inter-personal relations, he has brought about an exceptional degree of improvement in the staff work, and rendered valuable staff advice and assistance to AOA.

For his professional competence of a high order and selfless devotion to duty throughout his service career, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Shiv Lal Chopra.

Squadron Leader Thakadiyil Joseph Mathai was commissioned in December 1968 and has been on the posted strength of HQ Western Air Command as Sports Secretary since Mar 80. During his stewardship as the Sports Secretary, WAC sports teams made outstanding improvement. From the fourth position in 1979-80, the WAC teams improved their performance to win the Overall Championship Trophy in the year 1981-82, 1982-83 and 1983-84, i.e. for three years in succession. Ten Air Force Swimming records and seven Weight Lifting records were created by WAC sportsmen and three new Air Force weight lifting champions emerged during this period.

During the last sports season, of the eighteen sports events, WAC teams won eight events, including Aquatics and Volleyball Championships, after a lapse of twelve and eight years respectively. Sqn Ldr Mathai has trained and inducted a number of novices in the field of Weight lifting, Body Building, Wrestling, Volleyball, Football, Boxing and Aquatics and has brought them up to the Air Force standards.

Sqn Ldr TJ Mathai is in his own right one of the most outstanding sportsmen of the Air Force. He is the first body builder from the Air Force and the Services, who had the distinction of winning the coveted "Bharat Shri" title in 1962. Thereafter, he continuously won it five times and maintained exceptional standards of body building for over nine years. He has also won "Mr. Services" title seven times.

He successfully coached and captained the Air Force and the Services Body Building teams from 1961 to 1975 and from 1980 to 1983.

For his outstanding performance as a body builder and dedication to the cause of sports in the Air Force, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Thakadiyil Joseph Mathai.

Sqn Ldr Manmohan Kumar Rana was commissioned into the IAF in July, 1967. He has held several important and challenging assignments during the last 17 years of his service.

For his outstanding performance in the ab-initio course at the Air Force Technical College, he was awarded the Chief of the Air Staff Medal. Subsequently, for his brilliant achievement in the Guided Weapons Course, he was awarded the President's Plaque.

In 1975, he was selected to be a member of the pioneering team for computerisation of Air HQ Information System. Single-handed, he conceived, designed, developed, programmed and implemented Aircraft & Aeroengine Status Reporting System "AIRSTAR", in the shortest possible time. For his invaluable contribution, he was awarded a commendation by the Chief of the Air Staff.

In 1981, Sqn Ldr MK Rana was posted to a Base Repair Depot, as Project Leader of the computer team. Immediately on arrival, he analysed the complex matrix of overhauling the AN-12, Mi-8, AI-20 and TV-2 systems. He then designed five technical systems and five separate logistics systems in an incredibly short period of two years. When the ICIME 29 computer was received at the BRD, it was installed and put on stream within a week. In spite of power failures, low voltage and airconditioning problems, Sqn Ldr Rana worked long hours to achieve the targets on time and ensure high qualitative outputs.

For his excellence in the field of computerisation, analytical abilities, devotion to duty and achievement of high quality outputs for the technical and logistics systems, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Manmohan Kumar Rana.

Squadron Leader Arvind Kumar Nagalia is a test pilot and a qualified test flying instructor. He has almost 2000 hours of accident-free fighter flying to his credit. He has also attended the RAF Advanced Staff Course in the United Kingdom. Sqn. Ldr AK Nagalia worked in the Directorate of Air Staff Requirements as Asst Director from Dec 81 to Apr 84. During his tenure, he was associated with a number of important aircraft and weapon systems schemes initiated by the Air Force. These included the Mirage 2000, MiG-27M aircraft acquisition and formation of air targets for the Advanced Jet Trainer and Basic Turboprop Trainer projects. Sqn Ldr AK Nagalia has a profound knowledge of the operational and training requirements of the Air Force. He applied himself most meticulously in carrying out detailed analysis of the aircraft and weapon systems available so that correct decisions could be taken with regard to their acquisition. The staff papers produced by him were of a very high standard and bore the stamp of his experience as a test pilot and as a Qualified Flying Instructor.

For his outstanding contribution to the aircraft and weapon systems schemes, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Arvind Kumar Nagalia.

Squadron Leader Kiranchandra Indravadan Trivedi was commissioned into the IAF in Dec 68 and has been on the posted strength of the Northern Area Control Centre, since 04 Jan 82. As Senior Meteorological Officer, he is looking after meteorological aspects and services being rendered by NACC & AOC (J&K) to all the units, Dropping Zones and Advanced Landing Grounds in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, having been associated with the Global Monex Experiment in 1979, the officer was specially selected in 1983 to join the Third Antarctica Expedition as a member and was assigned the task of providing weather services to aid helicopter operations by the Air Force crew in Antarctica. During the preparatory period, the officer reviewed the available meteorological literature on Antarctica, prepared a weather summary and carried out detailed planning of his task. During the to-and-fro cruise by the ship 'Finn Polaris', the officer took pains to record hourly meteorological data, over the vast stretch of the ocean between the Indian mainland and Antarctica. In Antarctica the officer recorded a volume of meteorological observations, hourly current weather observations, upper wind data etc, in addition to briefing the IAF aircrew on weather conditions.

The officer was instrumental in procuring a set of photo copies of the satellite cloud imageries and facsimile charts from the Russian and the Easterman Stations at Antarctica, through personal visits and liaison.

For the invaluable services rendered by him as a member of the Third Antarctica Expedition and his outstanding contribution to Atmospheric Science, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Kiranchandra Indravadan Trivedi.

Squadron Leader Samarendra Nath Dasgupta joined an operational base on 11 Nov 79, on completion of his long-term specialised training in the UK on the advanced avionic weapon system of the Jaguar aircraft.

The Jaguar avionics and its testing equipment were introduced as an entirely new generation of technology in the Air Force. The new airborne equipment technology required commensurate sophistication in the servicing and testing facilities to be set up at the station. This task was entrusted to Sqn Ldr Dasgupta who accepted this challenge willingly and planned the installation of the facilities, gathered the required resources in a systematic fashion and executed the entire task with great determination and professional competence. It is through his professional competence, sense of involvement and good leadership that an Electronic Servicing Centre, Reconnaissance Servicing Centre, a Electrical Instrument Servicing Section and a Liquid Oxygen Bay were all set up to handle the servicing requirements of a modern combat aircraft. Apart from setting up these various bays, he even designed and fabricated all the test circuits to meet the local requirements. This he did purely voluntarily to save not only time but also valuable foreign exchange. Simultaneously, Sqn Ldr Dasgupta also ensured that our technical tradesmen were trained to handle the test equipment, since the aircraft were already operating at the base. For his extraordinary professional competence, dedication to duty and commendable leadership, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Samarendra Nath Dasgupta.

Flight Lieutenant Balligund Krishnamurthy Murali has been on the posted strength of a fighter squadron since 01 Apr 82.He was trained locally and has been employed as Officer-in-Charge DSS ever since.

During early 82, the re-equipment of the squadron, with an advanced version of the MiG aircraft was in progress, which involved receipt of aircraft, spares and the test equipment, besides consolidation of servicing procedures and acceptance of specialist vehicles and ground equipment. With his intelligence, foresight and hard work, he was able to achieve the allotted task in record time. His sound professional knowledge and tactful management of resources paid rich dividends and the first-line servicing was built on a firm footing.

Immediately after establishing sound technical practices. Flt Lt BK Murali on his own initiative took up the task of technical innovations. He utilised his knowledge and resources at his disposal to fabricate, out of salvaged and discarded materials, items like an indigenous Bomb Lifting Crane, a Mobile Hydraulic Type Building Rig, and also to modify the unit BZU-376 SB and the Tigers All-purpose Trolley.

The modification of a control and protection unit, fitted on the starting aggregate, was a technical marvel by itself. Flt Lt BK Murali was associated with the analysis of its complicated circuitry and fault finding.

For his devotion to duty, loyalty and exceptional ability to utilise his professional knowledge to augment operational efficiency, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Flt Lt Bellingund Krishnamurthy Murali.

Flying Officer Nav Ratan Shukla was commissioned in Jun 81 and since then has been posted at the Air Force Academy as Officer-in-Charge CR&SS.

Despite the introduction of various modifications, technical instructions and servicing bulletins, the snags of 'Nose Red' and Canopy Unlocking Warning have been occurring on the Kiran aircraft. Fg Offr Shukla designed and fabricated a special peg spanner for effectively locking the nose undercarriage downlock micro switch actuating pin, introduced vide Mod 287A. He evolved a system of determining the requirement of shimmying for this pin to render the microswitch operation foolproof. This has considerably reduced the 'Nose Red' incidents on post-Mod 287A/334 aircraft. These rigging instructions have since been accepted by both HAL and the IAF. Standard Technical Instructions, incorporating his design, are under issue.

Earlier, he suggested rigging instructions for clam shell operating mechanism, to overcome play in the canopy locking mechanism, which often resulted in a canopy unlocked warning. These instructions, accepted by HAL (BC), have since been issued for implementation. This has virtually eliminated the canopy defects.

As Officer-in-Charge CR&SS, Fg Offr Shukla has maintained a very high production output. His achievements and exceptional devotion to duty, have been a source of inspiration to maintenance personnel at the Academy.

For his commendable initiative and innovative skills, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Flying Officer Nav Ratan Shukla.

Warrant Officer Ramesh Chander Prabhakar MT/Fitter has been on the posted strength of an operational unit since 01 Jun 80. Trained in the USA in installation, maintenance and overhaul techniques of the high-powered White Superior Diesel Generating Sets, he is currently engaged in the task of providing 3rd and 4th line on-site maintenance for DG sets operating at six different locations.

One of the Diesel Generating Sets of an operational radar unit had seized due to failure of its lubrication system. This repair task was assigned to WO Prabhakar. With the use of the test and check facilities of a civil firm, it was found that the engine crankshaft, about 4 metres long and weighing 2 tons, had suffered excessive distortion, rendering the same beyond repairs. Checks also revealed that the parent bore axis of the engine bed plate itself was distorted. Since the latter could be corrected through precision machining only, a contract was awarded to a specialist civil firm in Delhi. Also a new crankshaft was obtained. However, after two weeks of round-the-clock work at site, the civil firm failed to achieve the specified machining accuracy and backed out, forfeiting a payment of Rs. 15,000/-. The problem was then taken up with the suppliers in the USA, who sent two experts for an on-thespot study. In Sep 83, the specialists advised Air Headquarters to replace the engine bed plate at the cost of $39,270.

Obsessed with a desire to succeed, he on his own initiative visited and contacted the specialists in the field at Ahmedabad, Indore and Calcutta, for additional information. He worked round-the-clock for nearly a month at site, and succeeded in correcting the distortion of the parent bore, axis, through use of shimming technique, to within acceptable limits. This obviated import of a new engine bed plate.

For this unique achievement and professional skill of a very high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Warrant Officer Ramesh Chander Prabhakar.

Warrant Officer Raman Gowd Rampuram Venkata, Instrument Fitter, has been on the posted strength of a fighter squadron since 13 Feb 83, Trained on one of the modern versions of the MiG aircraft in the USSR, he has been functioning with commendable efficiency as Warrant Officer-in-Charge of the Daily Servicing Section.

He possesses an exceptionally high level of professional knowledge of a relatively new technology aircraft and its avionic systems. His systematic approach to snag diagnosis and rectification has helped the unit substantially in maintaining the aircraft and its sophisticated avionics. His personal involvement and rare acumen, displayed by him in clearing the long outstanding control snags on the aircraft, are creditable.

His cheerful acceptance of responsibilities, willingness to work long hours and ability to train and motivate his subordinates to follow his example have won the confidence of everyone.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and loyalty, coupled with professionalism and technical acumen, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Warrant Officer Raman Gowd Ramapuram Venkata.