Lieutenant Commander Bhaskar Rajvanshi has been awarded a prestigious gallantry medal for his extraordinary actions in saving a naval helicopter and its crew from a potentially catastrophic failure. His quick thinking and exceptional skill averted disaster in the first-ever documented successful recovery from such an emergency in India's DHRUV helicopter fleet.
On March 8, 2023, Lt Cdr Rajvanshi was piloting a DHRUV MK-III-MR helicopter during a routine transition from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to Mumbai. Suddenly, at 500 feet above sea level, the aircraft suffered a critical control failure, causing it to rapidly lose altitude. Despite his limited flight experience in this situation, Lt Cdr Rajvanshi's composure and swift actions successfully guided the helicopter to a safe landing.
His bravery and professionalism not only saved the lives of the three personnel onboard but also preserved a valuable national asset worth over ₹100 crore. The incident has spurred a crucial investigation, ensuring the implementation of safety measures across India's DHRUV fleet.
The ceremony at INS Hansa naval base in Goa also recognized three other officers with the Nao Sena Medal for Gallantry:
- Lt Cdr Panneerselvam Vishnu Prasanna: Commended for his skilled leadership in a daring January 2023 mission to recover a submerged aircraft from a depth of 219 meters.
- Cdr Kaustab Banerjee: Recognized for his exceptional bravery in a June 2022 mission to rescue a disabled platform at sea, flying his Seaking 42 C aircraft over 250 nautical miles in hazardous conditions.
- Cdr Manish Singh Karki
