Air Marshal Khanna assumes charge as AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command
He was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, the Government said in a statement.
'Air Marshal Manish Khanna Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM), assumed command of the Southern Air Command (SAC) as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief on June 1, 2025 at Thiruvananthapuram,' it said.
The air officer is a category 'A' Qualified Flying Instructor and an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare and National Defence College.
'The air officer has over 4,000 hours of flying experience on various fighter and trainer aircraft,' it said.
Apart from his rich operational experience in air defence, ground attack, strategic reconnaissance and electronic warfare, the Air Marshal has wide-ranging experience in the training domain, including an international assignment as the Chief Flying Instructor with the Botswana Defence Forces, it added.
In his illustrious career spanning almost four decades, he has served as commanding officer of the fighter squadron, air crew examining board, a major flying base, advance headquarters, the Western Air Command and Commandant at College of Air Warfare (CAW) among others.
The Air Marshal was Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at South Western Command (SWAC) prior to taking over the present appointment.
In another announcement, the defence ministry on Sunday (June 1, 2025) said Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of the IAF's Western Air Command (WAC) on June 1, 2025.
The Air Marshal is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on December 16, 1989, it said in a statement.
He has flown over 3,000 hours, primarily on various types of fighter aircraft. He is a pilot attack instructor and in his operational career, he has commanded a fighter squadron, been Chief Operations Officer of a forward base and Air Officer Commanding of a premium fighter base, the Ministry said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: How a statue on NDA campus has split open cracks in Peshwa-Shivaji legacy
As Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a statue of Peshwa Bajirao I at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla on July 4, conspicuous by his absence was Nawab Shadab Ali Bahadur, who claims to be a descendant of the Peshwa through Mastani and Shamsher Bahadur. Shadab Ali Bahadur said he was 'boycotting' the event as he got the invitation at the last minute and was told that he would not be allowed to share the stage with Shah. Bahadur's remarks and subsequent social media posts on the issue have again triggered a debate on the Peshwas' legacy, and the effect that it has had on the politics of Maharashtra and India. What is the lineage of Shadab Ali Bahadur? Shadab Ali comes from the family of Mastani and Peshwa Bajirao I. According to the head of the Maratha Research Centre at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pandurang Balkawade, Mastani was the daughter of Maharaja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand and his Muslim wife Ruhani Begum. Shamsher Bahadur was Mastani and Bajirao's child. 'Both Ruhani and Mastani were Kabirpanthis. When Shamsher Bahadur was born to Mastani, he was not accepted as a Hindu… Hence, Shamsher Bahadur was not taken into the orthodox Brahmin fold,' Balkawade said. However, Balkawade's research shows, even as Shamsher Bahadur was raised a Muslim, his relations with Bajirao's side of the family were amicable. 'In his letters to his uncle and Bajirao's younger brother, Chimaji Appa, Shamsher Bahadur referred to him as 'Tirthrup', a title reserved for fathers and father-like figures. In return, Appa referred to his nephew as 'chiranjeev', usually used by fathers to address their sons,' Balkawade said. Though not 'allowed' to be a Hindu, Shamsher Bahadur was very much a representative of the Peshwas in North India, and played a valiant role in the third battle of Panipat in 1761, in which he was killed. Later, Shamsher Bahadur's great grandson Ali Bahadur played a key role during the 1857 Mutiny, considered the first war of Independence. Ali Bahadur sided with Tatya Tope (the commander of the Peshwa army) and Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi in their battle against the British. Who were the Peshwas? After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the killing of his son Sambhaji, the Maratha empire stared at the risk of being obliterated. A group of Maratha warriors managed to save Shivaji's second son, Chhatrapati Rajaram, to keep the Maratha empire from crumbling. Peshwas were Brahmins and part of the 'Ashta Pradhans' or eight-member councils established by Shivaji to assist in the administration of his Maratha kingdom. Bajirao inherited the Peshwa title from his father Balaji Vishwanath, who was appointed Peshwa by Shahu I. While the Marathas and Peshwas had a close association initially, relations between the Brahmins and Marathas deteriorated over time, and often flared up in public. The latest row comes at a time when the Marathas, the most dominant community in Maharashtra, have carried out successful protests to secure a quota from the government. Where are Peshwas placed in today's political discourse? Shivaji has gradually been co-opted by right-wing groups as a Hindutva icon, particularly due to his frequent clashes with the Mughal Empire led by Aurangzeb. They project him as the fighter for Hindus against Muslims. In 2020, when Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Shivaji, jumped ship to the BJP and became a Rajya Sabha MP, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar, a Maratha himself, took a jibe that 'the Peshwas (Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP is a Brahmin) were now nominating Chhatrapatis'. Last year, Udayanraje won the Lok Sabha polls from the Satara Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket. The Brahmin versus Maratha tussle for dominance also came up a few weeks ago when BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni demanded that the Pune Railway Station be named after Bajirao. Maratha organisations immediately protested, citing Brahminical hegemony; in turn provoking Brahmin organisations to lodge complaints against Maratha bodies over 'hate speech'. What lies at the bottom of the statue row? Balkawade feels the row over the statue inaugurated by Shah at NDA is being staged, and that there is no deliberate omission of Shadab Ali Bahadur allegedly on grounds of being Muslim. 'When I held a special function at Raverkhedi (in Madhya Pradesh), where the samadhi of Bajirao is located, Ayaz Bahadur and Mahendra Peshwa – descendants of Shamsher Bahadur and Bajirao I respectively – sat together in the puja,' Balkawade said, adding that the VHP was also a part of the ceremony. He believes the invite may not have gone out to Shadab Bahadur for another reason. 'Many so-called descendants are unable to prove their links to dynasties as they do not have any documents,' Balkawade said.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Amit Shah unveils Bajirao Peshwa's statue at NDA, tells cadets to emulate the warrior
Union home minister Amit Shah unveiled a statue of Bajirao Peshwa I at the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla on Friday, highlighting the legendary warrior's unmatched military achievements and timeless legacy in Indian history. The 13.5-foot-tall, 4,000-kg bronze statue has been donated to the prestigious defence institute by the Shreemath Thorle Bajirao Peshwa Pratishthan. Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveils the Thorle Bajirao Peshwe's statue at NDA on Friday. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CMs Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol, minister Chandrakant Patil, and others were also present. (HT) Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at Trishakti gate, Shah said, 'No military commander in the world can match the record of Bajirao Peshwa, who fought and won 41 battles in just 20 years. He fought every war for his motherland, religion, and 'swaraj' (self-rule), creating an immortal history that remains unparalleled even centuries later.' Calling NDA the most 'fitting place' for a memorial of a brave warrior like Bajirao Peshwa who never allowed defeat to come near him throughout his life, Shah said that although many statues of him have been installed across the country, the defence academy is the most appropriate place as the future leaders of India's three armed forces are trained here. He said that if our future soldiers draw inspiration from Bajirao Peshwa and learn from his life, no one would dare to challenge India's borders for ages to come. 'This statue will continue to inspire the brave cadets of the academy to remain devoted and dedicated to their motherland,' he added. Highlighting the historical significance of the Peshwa legacy, the union home minister said, 'Had the battle for Independence started by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj not been carried forward by the Peshwas for over 100 years, India's original cultural and national identity would not have survived till today.' Also present at the ceremony were chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil, and union minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol. 'Bajirao Peshwa's life is a symbol of valour, diplomacy and vision. In his 40 years of life, he wrote a chapter of history that no one has been able to replicate,' Shah said, adding that the legacy of the great warrior will live on not just in history books but also in the spirit and determination of future military leaders trained at the NDA. During his visit, Shah also engaged in an interactive session with cadets, emphasising the importance of national security, ethical leadership, and dedication to nation-building. He urged the cadets to embrace the values of discipline, strategic foresight, and unwavering service to the country.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- India Gazette
"Best example of an individual who had qualities of a good soldier was Peshwa Bajirao": Amit Shah
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday stated that the best place to establish a memorial for Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao was the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasia. Speaking at the unveiling of the warrior's statue in Pune, Shah stated that Bajira had the traits of a good soldier. 'He has done incredible work for the country and for our independence... The best example of an individual who had the qualities of a good soldier was Peshwa Bajirao... In 21 years, he fought 41 wars, and no one can break that record...' Shah said while addressing the people at the unveiling ceremony. He further stated that if the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj had not been taken forward by Peshwa Bajirao, the country's original character would have been lost. 'If the legacy continued by Shivaji Maharaj wasn't taken forward by Peshwa Bajirao, the country's original character would have been lost. He fought not just for our country but also for our 'Swaraj', Shah further stated. He further stated that it was the responsibility of 140 crore Indians to take forward a vision of the country that Bajirao had. 'It is the responsibility of the 140 crore Indians to take forward a vision that Peshwa Bajirao had for the country, and we are doing it. One of the best examples is our Operation Sindoor...' he further added. Shah was welcomed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the airport for his two-day visit in Pune. The visit is expected to include several high-level meetings, public addresses, and organisational reviews across the state. 'Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri @AmitShah ji arrived in Pune for a two-day visit to Maharashtra. At the airport, Chief Minister Shri @Dev_Fadnavis ji and senior workers welcomed him,' read a post from the Office of Amit Shah on X. (ANI)
