SHILLONG, June 27: Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, a distinguished fighter pilot with over 3,600 hours of flying, was conferred with the ‘Param Vishisht Seva Medal’ (PVSM) by President Droupadi Murmu in a glittering ceremony at Ashoka Hall in Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, on Tuesday.
The award was conferred on him during the Defence Investiture Ceremony. PVSM is awarded for distinguished service of the most exceptional order and Dharkar was already an AVSM.
Dharkar is an alumnus of reputed military colleges of India and abroad. Commissioned in services in 1985, he is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader, Instrument Rating Instructor and also an Air Force Examiner.
During his illustrious career, he has commanded a front-line fighter squadron and a Fighter Flying Training Establishment. He has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters and Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Eastern Air Command.
The highly-decorated officer has the distinction of being the first Director General of Defence Space Agency. He assumed charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Headquarters Eastern Air Command, Shillong last year.
