Eastern Air Command Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Marshal SP Dharkar has been conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for distinguished service of exceptional order by President Droupadi Murmu during the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
An experienced fighter pilot with over 3600 hours of flying, Air Marshal Dharkar is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College Dehradun, National Defence Academy Pune, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Air War College, USA. Commissioned in June 1985, he is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader and Instrument Rating Instructor & Examiner and has also been an Air Force Examiner.
During his illustrious career, he has commanded a front line fighter squadron and a Fighter Flying Training Establishment. He has instructional experience in conducting Professional Military Education for medium and senior level officers at the Defence Services Staff College and at the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad.
He has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters and Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Eastern Air Command. He has the distinction of being the first Director General of Defence Space Agency. He assumed charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Headquarters Eastern Air Command, Shillong October 1, 2022.
Altogether 84 serving and retired personnel of the Armed Forces and the Indian Coast Guard were awarded during the ceremony. Of these, 52 are Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSMs), one Bar to AVSM, three Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSMs) and 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSMs).
