Wingman to President: Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon’s Param Vir Chakra portrait in elite formation.

Ludhiana: Like a fighter jet outmaneuvering six foes, the legacy of India's only Indian Air Force Param Vir Chakra recipient, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, has blasted into immortality, preserved in a new gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with his family invited to witness the historic tribute.Amardeep Singh, the 42-year-old nephew of the fallen hero, travelled from Ludhiana to the national capital on Tuesday for the official inauguration of the Param Vir Chakra Gallery by President Droupadi Murmu.
Amardeep Singh, who resides in Ludhiana's Rajguru Nagar and serves as the custodian of his uncle's medal, described the event as a profoundly moving recognition of a sacrifice made more than five decades ago.A Presidential TributeThe ceremony, which lasted four hours, brought together the families of 10 Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees. For Singh, the highlight was seeing his uncle's portrait displayed prominently within the presidential residence. "It was a moment of immense pride to see my uncle's picture in the gallery," Amardeep Singh told reporters. "It speaks to the lasting importance the government places on his sacrifice for the nation."The event was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including the President, Droupadi Murmu, defence minister Rajnath Singh, and Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh. Following the inauguration, the families were hosted for lunch and given a guided tour of the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan. Each family was presented with a ceremonial shawl and a commemorative memento.The Hero of 1971Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon remains a legendary figure in Ludhiana and within the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military decoration for his "sublime heroism" during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, where he single-handedly defended the Srinagar airfield against six enemy aircraft.Brigadier Surinder Singh Gill, who has retired after serving the Army, said: "India is proud of Flying Officer Sekhon. Having his portrait in the PVC Gallery is a befitting tribute to the bravery and valour he displayed. Ludhiana residents carry his legacy with great pride."Continuous RecognitionThe gallery inauguration is the latest in a series of national honours for the Sekhon family. Amardeep Singh recalled that in July, the IAF celebrated his uncle's birth anniversary in Srinagar. Furthermore, two years ago, the govt named an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in his honour. Flying Officer Sekhon had no children; the responsibility of preserving his memory and the PVC medal now rests with Amardeep Singh and his mother, Jagnandan Kaur.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here