Flt Lt. Abhijit Anil Gadgil

Abhijit Gadgil was born to Anil and Kavita Gadgil on April 26, 1974 in Pune, Maharashtra. He attended various schools as his father, an IAF pilot, was posted in Nagpur, Belgaum, Agra, Bangalore, Wellington & Delhi. Abhijit completed his education in St. Xavier’s High School, Vile Parle, Mumbai and did his Higher Secondary Certification from the Fergusson College, Pune in Science in 1990.

Throughout his childhood, Abhijit, unlike other children knew exactly what he wanted and had decided that when he grew up he would be a fighter pilot. In fact, even later, when he was in the IAF, he confided in his brother, “Bhaiyya, I believe I am born to fly. I wish I could stay in the aircraft and never walk on the ground again.”

Following the course that  he had set on, he started frequenting the Pune Gliding Club at Hadapsar and diligently took gliding lessons for the two years that he was in college, all this while having an active social life and a satisfactory academic record. He made, and retained, quite a few friends from his days in Pune. This was to be a consistent trait throughout his life, the capacity to make friends anywhere he went.

He joined the 89th Course at the National Defence Academy, Pune in January 1993 and was assigned to the M (Mike) squadron. The first term was quite difficult for him, since he had not anticipated the harsh, disciplined and severe conditions that greet any newcomer in NDA. However, once through with the first term, the other five terms were a breeze as he learnt golf, polo, squash, cross-country running, swimming, the usual academics and military studies, drill and a lot of gliding, something that kept his spirits soaring. In his last term, he was adjudged the best trick rider in equestrian events. He graduated from the academy on December 21, 1996. His first posting was  in the FTW, Hakimpet, Hyderabad where he trained on Kirans.

He proceeded to join the 52nd  squadron, Sharks in Chhabua, Assam in 1997. These were his best days as he lived his dream and learnt how to handle a MiG-21. It would not be wrong to say that he was actually in love with that aircraft. He would sing its praises and boast about its achievements in the operational theatre. Fortunately, he had an excellent flying instructor and commanding officer and learnt the ropes quickly. This was where he handled his first solo flight on a MiG-21.

However he longed to go west, to the border and fly in a squadron that was in the front line of operations. He got his wish and was told to join the 23rd  squadron, Panthers, in Suratgarh, Rajasthan in 1998. He flew to his heart’s content, participated in every squadron activity and as was his habit, made great friends. He was well-respected by his colleagues, juniors and seniors alike. With a flair for art, he quickly became the unofficial chart-maker, archive-keeper, diary maintainer and would take on just about any task that could allow him to explore his artistic skills. Being a very social and friendly person made him a popular choice as MC at every squadron party and gathering. He enjoyed the sand, his squadron and the company of his comrades-in-arms.

Flight Lt. Abhijit Gadgil laid down his life while on active duty on September 17, 2001.