Indian air force is one of the biggest in the world. I stay in Vaishali a satellite town near Delhi....not far from Vaishali is the Hindon Air Force Base....so we often see the monsterous machines flying over our head.
It gives me great pleasure to see these jets sailing in the sky....espcially after the republic day parade held every year on the 26th of January.
Well....26th January is also the occasion when gallantry awards are awarded to the various defense personnel. The highest award in India for gallantry is the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), (परम वीर चक्र). So after this year's flypast I got thinking about the PVC winner's from the air force. I searched the net and will like to share what I found with you......
THE STORY OF FLYING OFFICER N.S.SEKHON
well we all know about the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971....the main thrust of the war was in present day Bangladesh then called East Pakistan. However Pakistani forces carried out several failed attempts to attack our northen frontiers also....It was one such day on 14th December in 1971...in fact Pakistan surrendered on the 16th Dec. Anyways....that day Sekhon and his fellow air warriors were surrounded by Pakistni Sabre's (it is said that these planes were much superior to the Indian Folland Gnat). Despite the odds against the Indians....the brave young Sikh destroyed two enemy crafts before he attained martydom. It is said that if the enemy aircraft were not offered any resistance they could have bombarded the city of Srinagar at will and could have caused heavy loss to life and property. It is for this gallant act that was nothing but pure courage and valour....backed by the call of duty that Flying Officer N.S. Sekho
n was awarded the PVC....the fact that only 21 people have been awarded this medal only underlines his heroism....and incidentally he is the only one from the airforce to have achieved this honour.
n was awarded the PVC....the fact that only 21 people have been awarded this medal only underlines his heroism....and incidentally he is the only one from the airforce to have achieved this honour.It might have been close to 27 years that this incident took place but reading it made my eyes moist and my heart full of pride.....
I would like to take this oppertunity to salute all the ranks of the Indian Defense Forces....we all must remember that it is because of these men and women...that we can live our lives in peace.
(The Folland Gnat)
I have found the photo of flying officer N.S. Sekhon on the web....Let me tell you that the photo belonged to some other website and I am just pasting it here....so that people can get to see a brave hero..... also take a look at the Folland Gnat and the Sabre's.
Sabre is towards your right.till the next post
Jai Hind!!!
Siddharth Tewari
