SDI
Celebrates Silver Jubilee
Hearing genuine appreciation for SDI from commanders of combat fleets
and media reports like “SDI helps our Air Force fly high” had us feeling proud
and elated even before my wife and I set course to Bengaluru for SDI’s Silver
Jubilee functions. With anticipation and nostalgia, I looked forward to meeting
all those who had played a part in its eventful journey thus far. The Software
Development Institute’s commitment showed in the way an Avionics Seminar by day
and a social event by evening, both found their place in its celebrations!
As one who was part of its humble beginnings, I have vivid memories of
its genesis and the struggles of its fledgling years. As its first Commandant,
I had many anecdotes to share with those present at the silver jubilee
celebrations. Recounting these memories for friends and former colleagues, who
listened to them with great enthusiasm, I was inspired to pen down some
anecdotes for the coming generations to stitch together and preserve.
The genesis of SDI would be best appreciated through a flashback into the journey of software in the Air Force. Amidst various information systems and databases developed till the 1980s, engineering software developments were limited to three large pioneering projects. RCPO (Radars & Communication Projects Office) automated remote measurements of the health parameters of Tropo links. IIO (INAS Integration Organisation) was the first in the country to work on real-time avionics integration for the Jaguar DARIN project. And, LRNG (Low-Level Radar Networking Group) undertook in-house work on real-time software to fuse multiple radar tracks for air defence command & control. Projects are time bound by definition; all the three worthy projects (RCPO, IIO and LRNG) were nearing culmination. Therefore, by the end of the 1980s, it was feared that the expertise and continuity to undertake further work on engineering and avionics software would fadeout. The result was the vision for a software development institute.
The then DCAS, Air Mshl BD Jayal, conceptualized the need to go beyond ASTE’s Software Support Centre. He envisioned an independent unit supported by ASTE, with software as its goal. The laborious spadework of drafting proposals for establishing SDI was, however, carried out by ASTE.
In 1991, I was posted on promotion to
ASTE for the 2nd time. It is said that my seniors at HQ WAC had
informally learnt that a new unit was in the offing and planned for
inauguration by the Chief of Air Staff. A cancellation of posting was not
feasible as indications were that I would head the new unit initially.
By the end of ‘91, the SDI establishment
was issued with an Air Cmde as its head. The Air Cmde was, however, not posted
because the manning was approved under internal adjustment, perhaps planned for
conversion into a permanent establishment after the closure of IIO.
Most senior officers with adequate
influence held their officers back as SDI began with only three officers - a
few airmen were loaned out by ASTE. The inauguration of SDI turned into an
inconsequential event unworthy of the presence of the Air Chief. It was the
then Air Cmde P Rajkumar (now veteran Air Mshl), ASTE Commandant, who
inaugurated SDI on 27 Jan ‘92. The accommodation used by the erstwhile Software
Support Centre of ASTE was handed over to us for a start. Within the first few
months, Air Cmde Rajkumar handed over the keys to the gates of an 8 acre plot
of land in Kempepura. However, the keys remained in the guardroom and the land
remained formally with ATSE until SDI came of age to begin planning works
services for technical accommodation. Today, Air Mshl Rajkumar tells me that,
that piece of land had been acquired from HAL specifically for SDI.
However, without this knowledge, in the face of changing opinions after
his departure from the scene, I could justify SDI’s permanent location on that
piece of land only on the basis of that generous offer by the ASTE Commandant
who inaugurated SDI.
But for one man, no one seemed to
believe in a future for SDI. First as ASTE Commandant and then as DASR (our
functional Directorate) at Air HQ, Air Cmde Rajkumar showered his blessings
upon us in more ways than one. He and Mrs. Sheila Rajkumar nurtured someone
else’s baby and took us affectionately under their wings. The care was
unconditional as they stood by our side. In the process, we not only benefited
from their support in the face of challenges from the external world but SDI
also inherited the sound professional character and ethos of ASTE. I have
always regarded Air Mshl & Mrs. Rajkumar as the Godfather and Godmother of
SDI.
Sqn Ldr Hemant Sharma (now Air Mshl
at Air HQ), was our main functional link in DASR in the initial years. Hemant,
always a sprinter, was faster than anyone I had known. His forthright approach
enjoyed high credibility with MOD in getting SDI proposals approved.
In due course, AVM S Krishnaswamy
(later the Air Chief) took over as ACAS (Plans). We were inspired by his vision
and commitment. Under his direct command & control, SDI got tasked,
encouraged and supported to perform with ‘junoon’.
But for the care and support from
these people at varying levels of the hierarchy, the vision SDI could well have
ended prematurely.
A flashback into those years:-
·
For nearly 4 years, I was a Commanding
Officer on a Bajaj scooter. My first official visit to HQ TC was with Sqn Ldr K
Venkatachalam riding pillion to collect file covers and stationery.
·
The officers’ strength rose from 3 to
5 and continued to rise in the following years. A remarkable new entrant was
Sqn Ldr PS Samuel, who joined us after his Staff Course. He was to have a hand
in almost everything that happened at SDI thereafter.
·
IIO helped us in training on DARIN.
We began doing IIO tasks jointly. I recall the exceptional commitment of our
officers, without whose initial years of toil, these 25 years may have been
very different. For about two years, we worked at SDI for two hours before IIO
opened, then worked on IIO tasks till 5 p.m. and returned to our SDI tasks till
about 8 p.m.
·
The first service vehicle allotted to
us was a princely possession – an old Standard-20 van. I enjoyed driving the
van with my officers across the runway to IIO and back.
·
The first task to be accomplished was
the development of the Jaguar Mission Planning System and procurement of the
required hardware and system delivery to the squadrons. The opportunity to fly
the Jaguar trainer with Gp Capt Ajit Agtey was a gratifying experience and now
banks with many such special memories of that time. As we were stepping on the
ladders, he literally threw the map at me saying “Pramod, you do a little map
reading on the way; I have your Mission Plan with me”. That was his way of
encouraging us by saying that he trusted us!
·
When the first officer got posted
out, we had to present him a memento. No artists - we sat down together to make
a design. I drew an aircraft and a computer and said “both these must be there
to depict SDI appropriately”. Someone got a bright idea to draw two curved
arrows from the computer to the aircraft, and that became the design of our
logo. I wrote the motto “Invisible Work, Unlimited Capability”. That translated
easily to our motto in Hindi as “अदृश्य कर्म अपार क्षमता”, without having to refer to a translator. I am amused and elated to
see that those small acts have become legendary in due course.
Air Cmde RK Batha (now veteran Air
Vice Mshl), the first Air Cmde Commandant arrived after nearly 4 years of SDI’s
existence. I continued as his 2 i/c, thus becoming the first Commandant and
also the first Chief Software Engineer of SDI. Even as I had technically given
birth to the institute, Air Cmde Batha was truly the father of SDI. Air Cmde
& Mrs. Batha raised SDI with a distinct character of integrity and selfless
commitment. Despite constraints of inadequate vehicular support and no
contingency and AFWWA funds, they looked after the unit personnel and families
like their children. Team SDI was a happy lot under their care. Besides
many tasks well executed, Air Cmde Batha also led the team in the planning of a
very special and immaculate technical complex for SDI.
Air Cmde Batha’s caring and (by now
promoted) Wg Cdr Samuel’s knowledge sharing approach set up an exemplary
professional character for SDI. I am gratified to find that the Batha legacy
continues as SDI crosses milestone upon milestone. We, the veterans, are proud
of the fact that those who followed us in these 25 years have surpassed our
accomplishments.
I am sure a day at SDI with
Pranay&Dipika and team has rejuvenated every veteran just as it has
rejuvenated me. I am delighted to find that this team sings with joy and
merriment even as it makes quality software that sharpens the combat edge of
the Air Force.
For your invisible work, thank you
and for that unlimited capability waiting to be tapped, my best wishes!
Air Mshl PV Athawale
