IN FOCUS
Gallant Veterans from the left are Group Captain R.S. Raghav, Wing Commander Subhash Chandra Dandiya, Group Captain P.K. Rai, Wing Commander Prem Nath Saksena.
This is a tribute and a focus on a few ILLUSTRIOUS sons of India. Gallant Veterans of the Indian Air Force who has made the country proud and continue to guide the younger generation with their fiercely patriotic spirit. WE ARE DEFINITELY PROUD OF YOU AND SALUTE YOU.
Name: Group Captain P.K. Rai
Favorite-Dish/Food Pure Vegatarian, Dum aloo
Favorite Holiday Destination Nainital
Favorite Moment in your career Besides marriage, joining IAF in the 1963 as pilot officer
Favorite Indian City Jabalpur
Your message to Indian Youth Have an ambition and work honestly towards achieving it, to love your nation sincerely.
Group Captain Rai is a retired ace fighter pilot who has seen action and taken part in the 1965/1971 operations. He is qualified flying Instructor. He has held independent command of various IAF stations.
Group Captain P.K. Rai hails from a well-established family from Jabalpur, in Madhya Pradesh. His father was a surgeon in the city of Jabalpur. His intense passion for the Indian Air force made him join the Indian Air Force in the Year 1963. His other passion was Cricket. He always wanted to become a test cricketer as well as become a pilot. In cricket he played in Ranji Trophy matches for the state of Madhya Pradesh for 3 years before joining IAF.
He and his wife are settled now happliy in Jaipur. His only son is a computer Engineer working in Pune.
Name Group Captain R.S. RaghavFavorite-Dish/Food Fish Curry and rice
Favorite Holiday Destination Goa
Favorite Moment in during service When I was selected to command IAF station Belgaon, the first occasion as independent In-charge during my career.
Favorite Indian City Dehradun
Hobbies Golf and swimming
Message to Indian Youth Patriotism and discipline are age old values and will always remain ageless .Abide by them to lead a life full of happiness and respect.
Group Captain R.S. Raghav commissioned into the IAF in the year 1972 to join the elite fighter stream. In the next twenty years he flew hunter aircraft, Sukhai-7 and MIG-23. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and also held a tenure as Chief Flying Instructor at Indian Air force Acadamy. He held different command units in the Indian Air Force and retired in the year 2003 after putting in a glorious 31 years of service.
Wing Commander Subhash Chandra DandiyaFavorite-Dish/Food Chinese
Favorite Holiday Destination His sons house in ORLANDO, USA.
Favorite Moment during service Giving Para landing to late Prime Minster Of India
Sh.Rajiv Gandhi.
Hobbies Golf, Shooting
Most favorite Indian City Jaipur
Dream for Indian Youth : - Join IAF as pilot.
Wing Co. Dandiya commissioned in the IAF in May 62. He has had a vast experience in flying the AN-12, approximately 6700 hours. He commanded the 1, Rajasthan Air squadron, Missile squadron during his service. He did a commendable job during his service in helping IAF compile the Golden jubilee History of Indian Air Force.
Name Wing Commander Prem Nath Saksena
Favorite Dish/Food Kheer
Favorite Holiday Destination Switzerland
Favorite place of posting Pune
Hobbies Cooking, gardening and music
Most Favorite moment in IAF- Pilot navigation course at Begumpet in the year 1974.
Most favorite Indian City: Jaipur
Dream message for Indian youth : To take India to the no. of 1 slot globally.
Wing Co. Saksena joined the IAF and the elite fighter stream in 1963. He flew Vampires, Toofani, Sukhoi-7, Hs-745 etc. He was mostly associated with Flight Safety in IAF. His passion for Flight Safety has prodded him to take up this cause for the entire gamut of Aviation after his retirement and recently he is working on his FLY-SAFE Project.
Wing Commander T.S. Rathore
Favorite Dish/Food- Tandoori chicken
Favourite Sport : Basket ball
Favourite City in India : Pune
Hobbies Listening to Gazals, Writing poems.
His Message to Indian Youth Join Defence Forces to lead a very disciplined & adventoures life.
Wing. Co. Rathore joined IAF : 16th October 1965
Flying Experience : 3000 HRS as transport and Helicopter Pilot.
He commanded three IAF stations during service and was also the chief Co-Ordinator in a youth exchange programme between India and Canada in NCC. After his retirement from IAF he has worked as Chief Administrator of BM Birla Science and Technology Centre, Jaipur.
Group Captain Vikram Singh Ranawat is a very distinguished retired officer of the IAF. He had been awarded JAM SAHIB trophy during his training as the best Helicopter Pilot. He had been a VVIP Helicopter Pilot and a qualified Flying Instructor, Examiner during his service. He was also involved in the IAF IPKF operations in the recent times in Sri Lanka and received two gallantry Vir Chakra, 3 Vayu Sena medals and 2 Yudh seva medals.
