Abhi Udan Baki Hai Panchhi !

Two significant events stood out recently. One was the felicitation of the Nonagenarian and Octogenarian members by the Air Force Association; the other was the Combined Graduation Parade of the Autumn Term 2025 at the Air Force Academy.

On 07 December 2025, the AFA (AP & TG Branch) honoured its Nonagenarian and Octogenarian members. The chief guest was Dr B. Bhaskar Rao, Founder of KIMS Hospitals, who has made noteworthy contributions to veteran healthcare in Hyderabad. The presence of the President, AFA, Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari, who personally felicitated the senior veterans, was a powerful source of motivation for all present.

Six days later, we witnessed another inspiring moment as the next generation of officers was commissioned by the CDS during the Graduation Parade. The ceremony was capped by a “Welcome Fly Past” led by none other than the Air Chief himself - an extraordinary sight that transported veterans back to their own exhilarating days in uniform.

The commentator beautifully captured the emotions of the newly commissioned officers with the couplet:

“अभी तो सफ़र शुरू किया है, उड़ान अभी बाकी है; अभी तो नापी है मुट्ठी भर ज़मीन, नापना आसमान बाकी है।”

This instantly reminded me of Late Air Marshal M. S. Bawa, who had recited similar lines during his felicitation by the AFA as an octogenarian in 2012. An adventurer even in his later years, he had thundered,

“अभी तो जान बाकी है पंछी, अभी उड़ान बाकी है!”

That same junoon was visible in the eyes of many air veterans, including the seniors who were honoured. While physical abilities may have waned, the inner flame of passion remained undiminished. The President AFA’s deeply motivating address resonated with everyone. Two points from his speech merit special attention:

• It is heartening that AFA membership has crossed one lakh; however, it is equally concerning that nearly two lakh air veterans across the country are still not members.
• An Association cannot sustain itself solely on donations and interest from fixed deposits; managing finances under such constraints is extremely challenging.

The Association is run by a small group of office bearers who serve entirely as volunteers, often contributing not just their time but also personal resources to carry out their responsibilities. It is unrealistic to expect everything to be handled by this limited group alone. Each one of us must ask ourselves, “Mujhe bhi kuchh karna hai.”

The first and most achievable action lies with all of us. None of the two lakh non-members lives in isolation. Every member can take it upon themselves to motivate at least a few fellow veterans to join the AFA. Beyond the tangible benefits, the most valuable gain is a sense of identity - belonging to where we once served.

Another important aspect is fund generation within the framework of a welfare organisation. While this requires guidance from the management, our readiness to contribute can pave the way. The AFA has thousands of highly qualified and experienced veterans in technical, administrative, accounting, and sports-coaching fields. Many remain underutilised simply because available opportunities do not appeal to them. There is scope to form specialist groups under the AFA umbrella to offer training or consultancy services to organisations and educational institutions. The proceeds could support the AFA as a welfare body while also covering expenses incurred by participating members.

Few professions outside the Air Force match an Air Warrior’s sincerity, commitment, and professionalism. We worked round the clock and still lived life to the fullest. As veterans, let us continue to enjoy life and contribute wherever possible. The Air Force lives in our hearts, and the AFA is our home. Let us not leave all initiatives to the office bearers alone. We can step forward to organise picnics, social gatherings, and entertainment programmes.

Enjoy life and find meaningful work where we can - because ‘Abhi to jaan baaki hai panchhi, abhi udaan baaki hai’!

Air Mshl PV Athawale