Air Commodore R Sitaram

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Air Cmde (Retd) R Sitaram passed away at Bangalore on 25th February 2006. May his soul rest in peace.

Air Cmde (Retd) R Sitaram and his brother Late Air Marshal R Rajaram, were fondly known as ‘The Ram Brothers’ in the early days of the Indian Air Force. They were introduced to flying by their father Rao Bahadur BS Ramaswami Aiyer, of the Indian Service of Engineers, who had taken it up as a hobby at the age of 40 Yrs. The boys took to flying as naturally as ducks take to water, and earned their flying licence at the age of 17 yrs and 16 yrs respectively. When the war broke out, father and sons volunteered for active service. Due to his age, the Rao Bahadur was turned away politely to serve in an alternate capacity. Sitaram and Rajaram received King’s Commission and reported for duty in the new RIAF.

At the flying club in Madras PS Atmaram, a friend of the family, learnt to fly as well and joined RIAF. Later, as Group Captains Sitaram, Rajaram and Atmaram had the distinction of simultaneously commanding Air force Stations Jalahalli, Tambaram and Secunderabad respectively. Throughout their service career, the Ram Brothers received many accolades. Rajaram passed away in 1968.

The brothers were exceptionally close to each other. With Air Cmde Sitaram’s sad demise, they are now reunited once again with each other and many other dear friends. We, as children, were fortunate to have known many of these friends and we cherished them like an extended family.
It is a tribute to the fundamental training of my parents and the further burnishing by the Air Force, that we grew up to be responsible, respectful and disciplined. Such characteristics, any family could be proud of.

Our dad was a strict task master who loved, cherished and encouraged us to aspire and aim for higher goals in life. He was extremely fond of his four grandsons. But his family extended well beyond to the family and children of his many friends who had passed away. He felt a stewardship towards them that transcended several generations. How fondly he is remembered and respected is now evident by the large number of calls from across the globe that are being received by us at the passing away of this noble soul.

We will miss our dad very much. So will many others for whom he was a friend and a guardian angel.

The Late Air Cmde is survived by his wife Mrs Bhagirathi Sitaram, son Ram Sitaram and daughter Meera. Ram And Meera reside in the US. Mrs Bhagirathi Sitaram resides at 29, 2nd Main Defence Colony, Indiranagar, Bangalore 560038 (Phone : +91 80 25281539)

R Sitaram, newly commissioned into the IAF Volunteer Reserve as an Observer. -
- The first batch of Observers.  Stg L to R : R Rajaram, Unid’id, R Sitaram, Keki Commissariat, Unid’id, Unid’id.

Seated: Un’id, P C Lal, Unid’d, Unid’d, Unid’d

R Sitaram was one of the first entrants into the IAFVR. Seen on the left is his original selection letter dated 11th November 1939. The letter originally was sent to Keki Commissariat. CallLetter_Small.jpg (18267 bytes)
- Air Cmde Sitaram as a Squadron Leader, at the end of the Second World War.
Late Air Cmde R Sitaram is in the centre of front row. His brother, Late AVM Rajaram (in shorts), is seen along side. -

 


The tribute is written by Air Cmde Sitaram’s son and was originally hosted on http://www.afakarnataka.org . Reproduced with permission

 

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