Indian Air Force Motto & History

Study Notes

The Indian Air Force's motto is "Touch the sky with glory" from the 11th chapter of the Srimad Bhagvat Gita.
Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honor.

Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon was born on July 17, 1943, to Master Warrant Officer Tarlok Singh Sekhon and Smt Harbans Kaur in Ludhiana, Punjab.
He grew up amidst simplicity and humility, influenced by his father's values of courage and patriotism.
Sekhon studied at Khalsa High School and later joined Dayalbagh Engineering College in Agra in 1962, but left the course mid-way to join the Indian Air Force.
He was commissioned into the IAF on June 4, 1967, as a fighter pilot.

Sekhon rigorously trained with the IAF and was described by his friends as a gem of a person with tremendous grit and determination.
He was a topper of his course and would go all out to help anyone in need.
Sekhon was stationed at the Srinagar Air Base with the 18 Squadron, also known as the Flying Bullets.

The war began on December 3, 1971, and Sekhon's squadron was tasked with defending the Kashmir Valley.
On December 14, 1971, six Pakistani Sabre jets attacked the Srinagar Airfield, and Sekhon single-handedly faced the enemy planes and drove them away.
Despite being vastly outnumbered, Sekhon kept the enemy engaged, and when his jet was hit, he continued to repel the enemy until his aircraft crashed.

Sekhon's bravery and sacrifice serve as a shining example of courage for aspiring military personnel.
He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously, and his legacy continues to inspire and motivate individuals to uphold the highest ideals of valour, bravery, and sacrifice.
No. 18 squadron is the only unit of the Indian Air Force to have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra, all because of Sekhon's bravery.