The Icons

    The Air Force Association (AFA) has, since its inception, played a significant role in commemorating and honouring the icons of the Indian Air Force. For many years it organised annual memorial lectures for Air Chief Marshal PC Lal, Air Chief Marshal LM Katre, and Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. In 2025, the Association added a memorial lecture in honour of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh. With the generous support of the IAF leadership, four more lectures have now been instituted to honour Air Commodore (Baba) Mehar Singh, Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, Air Chief Marshal IH Latif, and Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh.

    Each lecture features an eminent speaker on a subject of contemporary relevance while also introducing the audience to the life and leadership of an iconic air warrior. The combination of professional insight and historical perspective makes these events both intellectually enriching and deeply inspiring.

    I had the privilege of attending the recent memorial lectures dedicated to Air Chief Marshal IH Latif and Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh. An aviation historian, Mr. K. Sree Kumar introduced the two icons at both the events. He skilfully connected their lives through an anecdote narrated to him by the late Air Chief Marshal Latif himself.

    Young Pilot Officer Latif's aircraft had been damaged on ground during a ferry flight through no fault of his own. Harjinder Singh’s team worked through the night to repair it. Years later, recalling the incident, Air Chief Marshal Latif remarked, "That’s incredible, we were living like one big family!" That young Pilot Officer eventually became Chief of the Air Staff, yet throughout his career he continued to treat thousands of air warriors as members of that same family. His leadership reflected both professional excellence and genuine concern for his people.

    Air Commodore Jasjit Singh once observed, "The pilot-engineer bond of trust is the most visible reflection of the height of morale in the Air Force". Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh exemplified that bond throughout his life.

    Most of us had never met AVM Harjinder Singh, and only a few had served under Air Chief Marshal Latif. Yet one lesson stood out clearly: great leaders are not shaped from a single mould. Harjinder Singh's commanding personality contrasted with Latif's quiet and natural style, but both inspired trust and respect because they shared sincerity of purpose and unwavering commitment to the Service.

    The veterans present were delighted to honour these icons, but it was equally satisfying to witness the pride on the faces of serving men and women after hearing their stories. Leadership and example possess a timeless quality.

    Stories of our pioneers remain powerful tools for shaping the mindset, values, and resilience of future generations. Their importance lies not in portraying them as flawless heroes, but in showing how they overcame challenges, made difficult decisions, and upheld their principles under pressure.

    Memorial lectures are valuable reminders of these enduring examples. However, they require considerable effort and resources, and only a limited number of personalities can be honoured in this manner. This raises an interesting possibility. The Air Force has produced inspiring leaders at every rank - from Air Chiefs to Warrant Officers and erstwhile Flight Sergeants. Could local veterans be invited more frequently to stations to share their experiences with young air warriors? Like grandparents recounting family history, they can pass on traditions, values, and lessons that no textbook can fully capture.

    Exceptional achievements rarely result from dramatic moments alone. They are built through quiet dedication, consistent effort, and steadfast commitment to duty. Every air warrior should recognise that leadership and greatness emerge through everyday actions. The icons we celebrate were once ordinary individuals who performed their responsibilities with extraordinary commitment. Their stories remind us that every member of the Indian Air Force has the potential to become an example worthy of future generations.

Jai Hind !

Air Mshl PV Athawale

 

 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