Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma’s Feat Earned Him the President’s Award, His Story Will Give You the Chills

The Squadron Leader piloted a failed MiG 29 despite an injury, and risked his life in landing the plane safely.

By Aishhwariya Subramanian

January 27, 2017

For members of the Indian armed services, to display extraordinary courage against all odds is a rather ordinary occurrence. And yet, there are still stories of bravery that are so awe-inspiring that they manage to capture the imagination of the collective public.

One such account belongs to Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma of the Indian Air Force, who was awarded the Vayu Sena Award (Gallantry) by the Indian government in recognition of his valour and sheer grit. On June 1, 2016, he was piloting a MiG 29 aircraft at supersonic speeds at a height of 10 km.

He was 110 km away from his base when the canopy perspex (which is the enclosure over the cockpit) broke and shattered, and in the process also hit his shoulder.

pilot cropped

Photo source: Twitter

At this point, he was not only injured but was also exposed to temperatures of -28 degree Celsius, which could have led to hypoxia. He also had to contend with extreme winds owing to the fact he had been piloting at roughly 1,200-1,300 kmph. But instead of injecting and saving himself, Sharma decided that he would somehow try and land the plane safely in such a way that there was no accidental loss of life on ground.

He brought the plane down to an altitude of 3 km and also reduced the speed of the plane as best as he could. In order to make sure that there would be no causalities, he also avoided any areas that would have oil installations and heavy population. As a result of his quick thinking, he was able to land his aircraft with next to no collateral damage.

The Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) is an award given during peacetime to those in the armed forces for a job done well done. Given the goosebumps-inducing account of the Squadron Leader, we would say it is one that is well deserved by Rijul Sharma.

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

Similar Story

India’s First Vertical Sea Bridge: 8 Things To Know About the New Pamban Bridge

As India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, the new Pamban Bridge, is set to reach completion by March next year, here’s some facts you should know about this technological marvel, which connect Rameswaram to mainland India.

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201 ₹501 ₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let's ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?