An air warrior at heart if not rank
It felt strange to be opening the last edition of Vayu magazine with ‘Remembering Pushpindar Singh’ on its cover. Strange, because ever since he founded the magazine, it was an integral part of flight crew rooms across the IAF and every new issue subject to intense discussion and debate amongst the air force community. For someone like me who was also a personal friend, going through portions of the magazine almost felt like a conversation with him in a field that he was so passionate about, and one fast evolving in a technology intensive world. Though, over the years Vayu has nurtured many young minds who have taken the pressure off Pushpindar’s shoulders and made his creation an international journal of repute; to me opening the pages of every issue was still akin to a conversation with Pushpindar. This chapter alas, is forever closed .
Also missing will be the ‘go to’ human encyclopedia to many ,on aeronautics in general and Indian aeronautics and the Indian Air Force in particular. Fortunately for the Indian aviation community, his passion and extensive writing in this field have nurtured a breed of aviation and history enthusiasts in his mould and the responsibility of carrying forward his legacy now rests on their shoulders.
His works have been documented and recognized nationally and internationally. Condolence messages from across the international community are testimony to his standing and reputation both as an authority on aviation matters and indeed as a historian.
Pushpindar was an air warrior in mind and spirit though not in formal rank. The best tribute that the nation and its aeronautics community can make to his everlasting contribution to furthering their cause and its history is to fill this void. Let the nation confer on him posthumously, an Honorary IAF Rank.