Aurangabad, Jan 27:
Group Captain Manish Minocha has been awarded the prestigious Presidential award Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) on the occasion of Republic.
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, in the coming days, will confer the VSM on Group Captain Minocha at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The honour is conferred in recognition of distinguished service of high order and achievements in service to the nation. The President of India has approved awards of 455 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day celebrations. These include 131 Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and 29 in Air Force for distinguished services. Group Captain Manish Minocha is the proud recipient of this coveted national award from the Air Force. Captain Minocha was commissioned in Airforce in December 1995 as a fighter pilot and has flown Mig 21 and Mirage 2000. He has been posted to various stations in India, commanded a fighter squadron in Gwalior and an airbase in Rajasthan. He has completed his schooling from Holy Cross English High School and college from the Services Preparatory Institute (SPI), Government College of Arts and Science. His pillars of strength have been his wife Gargi, daughter Yukta who is pursuing her MBBS currently and his childhood friends from the city.
Proud moment for us
Speaking to this newspaper his childhood friend Sandeep Malu said "It has been a proud moment for us ever since he joined Air Force in 1995. Manish has been an extremely devoted, passionate, committed and outstanding in his performances right from his childhood. I congratulate him for the Vishisht Seva Medal and wish him the brightest future ahead on behalf of all our friends."