Cdr Vijay Varma (04799-F) has been working as Staff QI in INS Garuda since 11 Aug 2016. In August 2018 severe and cataclysmic floods inundated large parts of Kerala leaving thousands of people stranded across the state. During “Op Madad”, the officer as the pilot in command of a Chetak aircraft rescued a total of 24 survivors including 02 pregnant ladies. Out of these, two rescue missions stand out due to the unprecedented skill, valor and grit displayed by the Officer whilst flying in extremely hostile conditions. On 17 August 2018, as Pilot-in-Command, the officer was tasked with the rescue involving a critical medical emergency of a pregnant woman stuck at a Masjid whose water had broken and was in labour. The heavily populated area was completely inundated and hover was extremely risky due to multiple obstructions on site including power lines, tall trees and the minarets of the Masjid. The rescue was further complicated as the only place available for winching operations was a small balcony that was partially covered by a tin sheet. This being a life and death situation the Officer decided to go ahead with the mission despite the dangers posed by the severely restricted area and adverse weather conditions of low clouds, intermittent rain and gusting winds. The Officer through sheer grit and skill positioned over the small balcony. Skilfully maintaining a steady hover for prolonged duration in extremely challenging conditions, a total of five winching operations were carried out whilst keeping clear of obstructions and battling gusts at the limits of the aircraft’s capability. The rescue was affected with clockwork precision and the survivor was airlifted to INS Garuda. The lady delivered a healthy baby boy within two hours of the rescue. This incident garnered high praise for the Indian Navy’s relief operations and led to wide acclaim. At 1000 hrs on 17 Aug 18 affected the rescue of another heavily pregnant woman along with an old woman and child who were trapped on the roof of a house in the same vicinity. Despite gusting winds from an
approaching thunderstorm and multiple obstructions including a coconut tree above the level of the hovering helicopter the officer fearlessly manoeuvred the aircraft and executed a safe rescue. For these exemplary acts of bravery and selfless service in the face of life threatening conditions, Cdr Vijay Varma, 04799-F has been awarded Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry).
Indian Bureaucracy Dot Com wishes Cdr Vijay Varma the very best.