1.3 On Wings of Courage
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade 10 English.
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The text outlines several intermediary ranks (Group Captain, Air Vice Marshal, Air Marshal, Air Chief Marshal), but the flow chart format in the textbook typically fits 6 key milestones shown above.
| (a) Date of Birth | April 15, 1919 |
| (b) Place of Birth | Lyalpur (now Faislabad, Pakistan) |
| (c) Education | Montgomery (now Sahiwal, Pakistan); RAF Cranwell in 1938 |
| (d) First Assignments | To fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier Province as a member of the No.1 RIAF Squadron. |
| (e) Important posts held | AOC of an operational command, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Vice Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Ambassador to Switzerland, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. |
| (f) Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Padma Vibhushan. |
| (g) Most outstanding contribution in IAF | Astute leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pak war and transforming the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally. |
| (h) Retirement | August 1969 |
- Brave
- Fearless
- Astute leader
- Firm and unexcitable
- Man of few words
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- (a) Selected for Empire Pilot training course at RAF: Being 19 years old and having a keen interest/aptitude (the text notes his selection in 1938 at age 19).
- (b) Promoted to Squadron Leader: Flying against tribal forces in No. 2 RIAF Squadron and later moving back to No. 1 Sqn as a Flying Officer to fly the Hawker Hurricane.
- (c) Leader of a flypast of over 100 aircrafts at Red Fort, Delhi: Successfully leading the squadron in combat during the Arakan Campaign, for which he was awarded the DFC.
- (d) Awarded Padma Vibhushan: Providing astute, courageous, and professional leadership to the Air Force during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
- (e) First Air Chief Marshal of Indian Air Force: In recognition of the Air Force's massive contribution under his command during the 1965 war, the rank of CAS was upgraded.
- (a) He played a major role in bringing up the school.
- (b) Our school cricket team geared up for the final match against P. Q. R. High School.
- (c) After a brief stint as a lecturer, Ravi took up an important post in a multi-national company.
- (d) Our class monitor is the epitome of duty and discipline.
- (e) In recognition of the great value of his research, they awarded him with a Ph.D. (degree).
- (f) After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth took over reins of Scotland.
Military Word Wall:
- Army, Navy, Air Force
- Marshal, Squadron, Commander, Pilot, Troops
- Combat, Campaign, Artillery, Base, Mission, Flypast
| Word | Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| (a) led lead | Past tense of lead. A heavy metal. | The captain led his team to victory. Pipes made of lead are no longer used for drinking water. |
| (b) role roll | A part played by an actor / function. To move by turning over. | He played a vital role in the project's success. The dog learned to roll over on command. |
| (c) air heir | The invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth. A person legally entitled to inherit. | We need fresh air to breathe. The prince is the sole heir to the throne. |
| (d) feat feet | An achievement requiring great courage or skill. Plural of foot. | Climbing Mount Everest is a remarkable feat. He stood on his own two feet. |
| (e) reign rein rain | The rule of a monarch. A strap used to control a horse. Moisture condensed from the atmosphere. | The country prospered during the king's reign. The rider pulled on the rein to stop the horse. We couldn't go out because of the heavy rain. |
- (a) firm:
1. The mattress is very firm and provides good back support. (steady/solid)
2. She works for a reputed law firm in the city. (business/company) - (b) train:
1. I will take the morning express train to Mumbai. (railway vehicle)
2. The coach will train the athletes for the upcoming Olympics. (to teach/coach) - (c) type:
1. What type of music do you like? (kind/category)
2. I need to type an email to my boss right now. (write on a keyboard) - (d) post:
1. I will send the documents by post tomorrow. (mail system)
2. She was selected for the post of general manager. (job position) - (e) current:
1. We should keep ourselves updated with current affairs. (present time)
2. The swimmer struggled against the strong river current. (flow of water/electricity)
Notes on Air Marshal Arjan Singh:
- Birth & Education: Born Apr 15, 1919, Lyalpur. Educated at Montgomery & RAF Cranwell (1938).
- Early Career: Commissioned in No.1 RIAF Squadron flying Westland Wapitis. Promoted to Sqn Ldr in 1944.
- WWII Role: Led squadron during Arakan & Imphal campaigns against Japanese; awarded DFC in 1944.
- Independence Day: Led the first 100-aircraft flypast over Red Fort, Aug 15, 1947.
- Key Commands: Longest tenure as AOC of operational command (1949-52 & 1957-61). Appointed Vice Chief of Air Staff (1963).
- 1965 War: Led IAF expertly against Pakistan's Operation Grand Slam. Upgraded to Air Chief Marshal post-war; awarded Padma Vibhushan.
- Aviation Feat: Flown >60 aircraft types (biplanes to contemporary jets); kept flying currency till CAS rank.
- Retirement & Later Life: Retired Aug 1969. Served as Ambassador to Switzerland & Lt. Governor of Delhi. Conferred 'Marshal of the Air Force' (5-Star rank) in Jan 2002.
Title: The Brave River Rescue
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon in the small village of Shirpur. Ten-year-old Sanyogita More was playing near the banks of the swollen river with her friends. It had rained heavily the past week, and the river currents were dangerously fast. Suddenly, the laughter turned into panic. A younger boy from the village, Rohan, had slipped from the muddy bank and tumbled into the roaring water.
The adults were too far away in the fields, and the other children stood frozen in fear. Sanyogita knew there was no time to wait. Without a second thought for her own safety, she grabbed a sturdy branch from a fallen tree and jumped into the freezing, turbulent water. Fighting the strong currents, she swam towards Rohan, who was quickly going under. She extended the branch to him, yelling at him to hold on tightly. Summoning every ounce of her strength, Sanyogita paddled against the current, dragging the terrified boy toward the safety of the riverbank. By the time the villagers arrived, she had successfully pulled him onto the grass.
News of her fearless act spread quickly across the state, eventually reaching the capital. Her unmatched courage in risking her life to save another was recognized at the highest level. Months later, standing on the grand stage in New Delhi, the auditorium erupted in applause. And so, with tears of joy and pride, the 10 year old Sanyogita More received the National Bravery Award from the Prime Minister.
APPLICATION FOR RECRUITMENT
Rect notice No: 1234
1. Post applied for: Flying Officer (Indian Air Force)
2. Name and surname of Candidate: SHARMA, ROHIT
3. Father's Name: Mr. Anil Sharma
Mother's Name: Mrs. Geeta Sharma
4. Date of Birth: 12-05-2005
5. Contact details:
Tel. No. (Res): 020-1234567
Mobile No.: 9876543210
Email ID: rohit.sharma@email.com
6. Permanent Address:
House No./Street/Village: 45, MG Road, Shivaji Nagar
Post Office: Shivaji Nagar PO
District: Pune
State: Maharashtra
Pincode: 411005
7. Educational Qualifications:
1 | HSC | XYZ College, Pune | Maharashtra Board | 85%
2 | B.Sc Physics | ABC University | Pune University | 80%
8. Whether registered at any employment exchange: No
9. Outstanding achievements in extra-curricular activities/sports/games, etc.:
State-level swimming champion, NCC 'C' Certificate holder.
10. Why you wish to join Armed Forces:
I have always been inspired by the discipline, valor, and honor associated with the Indian Armed Forces. I wish to serve my motherland directly and believe my skills and dedication will make me a capable officer.