Group Captain Nairessery Sekharan Raveendran (12614) AE (L) has been the Commanding Officer of Guided Weapons Training Institute (GWTI) since Sep 97. Ever since assuming command he has exhibited creativity in improving the training and the standard of output at this Institute.

With initiative and planning, Gp Capt Raveendran has set up a Technology Cell to identify methods of indigenisation of spares. This is crucial as no indigenous repair facilities exist for this equipment. This Cell has developed an important device for CVs resulting in saving of Rs. 4 lakhs till date and is likely to accrue further savings.

Under his dynamic guidance, the GWTI, which is mainly a training institute, had repaired/modified complicated PCBs and channel selectors of CVs, which had prevented many of them from being rendered MOG. A radar alignment vehicle of a missile Squadron, which had been unserviceable for about 20 months due to lack of publications on its hydraulic system, was made serviceable. The importance of this rectification lies in the fact that the radars and computers of the CVs are required to be calibrated with an alignment vehicle prior to operational deployment. He was also responsible for resurrecting a PU-12 Missile Control Post vehicle which was U/S for more than three years, by indegenisation of spares and imaginative modification. The repairs have caused huge savings in foreign exchange as well as reduced the down time of the equipment.

Gp Capt Raveendran has made many innovations in the sphere of training also. Till recently the training material supplied to the trainees were direct translations of Russian publications into English, which did not take into consideration our own experience in the field. He brought out a total of 26 précis, which are simpler and better. All the syllabii were revised and training aids and standards were improved. Because of these improvements, the DASI graded the GWTI as above average, in Jul 98.

In recognition of his foresight, imagination, dedication and contribution to the quality of maintenance at the field level, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Nairessery Sekharan Raveendran.