Over 10,000 ex-Servicemen in Goa, left high & dry by ECHS, as scheme runs out of medicine & sole empanled civil hospital withdraws service due non-payment of bills. For 3rd time in 2025 funds blocked by MoD, causing extreme distress to the old & sick. @PMOIndia@DefenceMinIndia
A good day to remember the Air Marshal, and his family who have dedicated their lives to service.
His son, Lt. Simon, and my father were shipmates (if you can call a Naval Air Station a ship). While one brother inspired me to become a naval aviator, another was instrumental in my rescue.
In an unfortunate incident, Lt. Simon’s aircraft crashed, leading to a massive search and rescue operation that remained in the headlines for many days.
My mother would read the news to me, and my father would often recount how highly everyone regarded Lt. Simon. I was only a child then, but that story inspired me to become a naval pilot.
Fast forward many decades to September 2018. I was lying in my boat with a fractured spine, awaiting rescue. The Navy immediately launched a P-8I to locate me and direct ships to my position.
That decision—to send an aircraft to operate at such a far-off latitude—was taken by Lt. Simon’s younger brother, Adm. Philippose, who was heading Naval Aviation at the time.
Apparently, Lt. Simon was an inspiration not only to me but to his brother as well.
Born today (13 Oct) in 1929: Air Marshal Pynummoottil Simon George. Commissioned in March 1952, he rose through command and staff roles, leading a fighter squadron and an operational air base, and earned a reputation as an exceptional instructor, even being deputed to the United Arab Republic to train pilots.
In April 1984, he was appointed the first Inspector General of the @IAF_MCC , building an impartial, standards-driven framework to assess operational and combat readiness across units and support infrastructure.
#IAFHistory
@mananbhattnavy The wreckage was found by the army 2 weeks after the crash. My brother and the Co pilot Lt PB Jose had died instantly after the crash. You have opened raw wounds by yr callous post. R Adm PG Philipose Retd. Former Flag Officer Naval Aviation
@mananbhattnavy This is absolutely false and upsetting. How dare you write a false narrative with no clue on the facts. LT SGP was my elder brother. The islander crashed into the hills next to Pathanamthitta, South of Kochi on the stormy night of 17 May 1985.
@UIDAIMumbai@UIDAI@GoI_MeitY Proud of you Lovekesh. I'm sure you will add huge value to this organisation with your rich operational and administrative experience 🙏
@IN_WesternFleet Love this. R Adm Praveen Nair is the epitome of the perfect Naval officer. Love this personal touch. No wonder your men love you. Marathoner, Communicator extraordinaire,kickass dancer, friend. May your tribe increase 🙏
@Riskengineer1@IN_WNC They are trained to design aircraft. Limited options in India. The Aerospace Engg dept in IIT POWAI has 22 Ph D Professors. 18 are single /double PhDs from USA and have returned to teach at a fraction of the pay they can earn abroad
M Tech and B Tech students of Aerospace Engineering Department, IIT Bombay accompanied by faculty members visited INS Shikra on 14 Sep. The visit aimed to demonstrate practical aspects of Naval Aviation and help the young minds to appreciate aeronautical concepts.