An unsung Hero from Odisha not yet awarded
Signed 1/3000
Online Signatures: 1

To
Honorable Prime Minister
narendramodi@narendramodi.in
The Unsung Hero from Odisha in the Indian Navy.
During the "War Against Terrorism" in the international waters of the Persian Gulf, on November 17, 2001, the skilled Odia Indian Navy Petty Officer Radio (Special) Bidyadhar Nayak 166308Z provided crucial intelligence to India from INS Mysore while the United States and the United Kingdom were jointly engaged in counter-terrorism operations. Based on this classified information, India took steps to secure its airspace from enemy threats. In January 2004, under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the NDA government approved a $1.5 billion tripartite agreement with Israel and Russia, leading to the acquisition of three Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft for India. Later, in 2016, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the NDA government approved another agreement with Israel and Russia to procure two more Phalcon AWACS at a cost of ₹7,500 crores. Through these two phases, the NDA government brought a total of five AWACS aircraft, ensuring the safety of India’s airspace. In 2019, during the Balakot air strike in Pakistan, AWACS played a crucial role in destroying terrorist hideouts. The Indian Air Force has now demanded seven more AWACS to strengthen India's aerial security. The visionary behind bringing AWACS concept to India is Bidyadhar Nayak from Gambharipada village under the Kakatpur police station in Puri district, Odisha. Today, he is a retired naval veteran. Under the tenure of two Indian Prime Ministers, ₹15,000 crores have been spent on five AWACS aircraft, securing India's airspace. However, Bidyadhar Nayak’s intelligence contributions remain classified, and he has not yet received the deserved Peace Time Gallantry Award (such as the Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, or Shaurya Chakra). This remains an unspoken pride and a silent grievance for the nation.
During the "War Against Terrorism" in the international waters of the Persian Gulf, on November 17, 2001, the skilled Odia Indian Navy Petty Officer Radio (Special) Bidyadhar Nayak 166308Z provided crucial intelligence to India from INS Mysore while the United States and the United Kingdom were jointly engaged in counter-terrorism operations. Based on this classified information, India took steps to secure its airspace from enemy threats. In January 2004, under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the NDA government approved a $1.5 billion tripartite agreement with Israel and Russia, leading to the acquisition of three Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft for India. Later, in 2016, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the NDA government approved another agreement with Israel and Russia to procure two more Phalcon AWACS at a cost of ₹7,500 crores. Through these two phases, the NDA government brought a total of five AWACS aircraft, ensuring the safety of India’s airspace. In 2019, during the Balakot air strike in Pakistan, AWACS played a crucial role in destroying terrorist hideouts. The Indian Air Force has now demanded seven more AWACS to strengthen India's aerial security. The visionary behind bringing AWACS concept to India is Bidyadhar Nayak from Gambharipada village under the Kakatpur police station in Puri district, Odisha. Today, he is a retired naval veteran. Under the tenure of two Indian Prime Ministers, ₹15,000 crores have been spent on five AWACS aircraft, securing India's airspace. However, Bidyadhar Nayak’s intelligence contributions remain classified, and he has not yet received the deserved Peace Time Gallantry Award (such as the Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, or Shaurya Chakra). This remains an unspoken pride and a silent grievance for the nation.
Transforming IndiaFeb 22