PC: ANIIndian Air Force (IAF) officer Wing Commander Bhuvanendran Nair Prasanth will be awarded with Vayu Sena Medal (VSM) for his daring act while undertaking rescue mission during Kerala flood devastation last year. On August 16, 2018, Wing Commander Bhuvanendran Nair Prasanth and his team joined the HADR operations of ‘Op Karuna’ in flood affected area of Kerala. In a mission, he noticed 13 college girls stranded on a tiny roof top. Due to inadequate space on the roof top, most crew members advised him not to winch down to save the stranded girls. Disregarding his own safety, the officer winched down to rescue all the 13 survivors from the roof top, the IAF said. In another mission, Wing Commander Nair winched up two toddlers barehanded without a body harness so as to avoid the risk of the toddlers getting chocked in the harness due to the heavy downwash of the helicopter. During the complete operation, his team saved over a thousand lives while he alone was responsible for bringing 112 people including four infants and a 102 year old lady to safety. The air warrior Nair with his exceptional leadership has inspired everyone including the men under his command. In all the missions, he has repeatedly exhibited exemplary courage and professionalism.
