User:Colonel Prakashchandra Pravinchandra Vyas (Colonel P P Vyas

Colonel P P Vyas, born in Vikram samvant 2017 on Posh Vad Satam ne Somvar, 09 January 1961 in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. Early childhood was spent in native place Ranpar, Taluka Babra, in Amreli district with Great grand Parents, Mother and sister, Kartikaben. Great grand Father, Late Shri Devkrishna Harishankar(Veeruma) Vyas, was renowned astrologer and Great grand Mother Kasturba Kalabhai(Devuba) Pandya(Vyas), was a strong hearted house wife. His Mother is Vatsala Jatashankar(Samju) Joshi(Vyas) and Father Shri Pravinchandra Amrutlal(Kantaben) Vyas.

He had his early education from Village primary school of Ranpar, under Late Shri Ranmalji Naranjibhai Parmar and completed 1st & 2nd standard in one year with his friend Jinu Ramji Kachhadiya. His Great grand Father used to recite stories from Indian mythology, which had its everlasting memories on his mind.

Later he moved to Rajkot and studied in Vidyalaya, under Manglaben Kakkad. He had his first public speaking experience in 3rd standard at the age of seven. 5th Standard was done at Virani High School and same had to be repeated on joining Sainik School Balachadi due young age.

Lectures of House Matron Sardar Kartar Singh(a retired ex servicemen) had a great impact on his future career. Joined the word famous National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune after cracking the UPSC examination in 1978, passed out in 1981 to join the Indian Military Academy(IMA). This was the Golden Jubilee Celebration year of the IMA. Prime Minister of India, Mrs Indira Gandhi was the Chief Guest and GC P P Vyas, was assigned the task to conduct her in the Photography Club exhibition. This was one God sent opportunity for him to meet Mrs Gandhi, and her son Mr Rajiv Gandhi, who was a newly elected MP, at that time. He was commissioned in 69 Mountain Regiment of Indian Artillery in 1982.

He spent four years in Tibari, Gurdaspur, in Punjab. Participated in Operation Blue star and was promoted to Captain. He was selected for Air OP and moved to join Airforce Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, for flying training. Performed very well there to earn his wings in 1986. He was posted in Old Air Field, 1 Airforce Wing, Srinagar and gained the operational experience of hill flying. Later moved to Patiala and got exposure of Desert flying. On completion of two years at Patiala, he had the most challenging flying tenure of his life in store in the jungles and hills of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. He was strongly recommended for Shaurya Chakra for his Gallant Flying in thick of Operations in Mizoram. He was finally awarded Chief Of Army Staff’s Commendation Card, on Army day in 1990. From Dimapur he was shifted to Kargil for the command reports. Six months at Gumari Near Zozila Pass exposed him to the ground realities. He moved his regiment from Kargil to Devlali. While at Devlali He was picked up by his first CO to perform the duties of his SO, when Lt Gen A S KHanna, AVSM, VrC, was appointed COS, SC, at Pune. At the end of three years at Devlali, He faced the 4th Selection board of Army to be selected to the rank of Lt Col. On promotion he was given the Command of 20 R & O Flight (Helicopter Unit) at Siliguri to cover entire area of Sikkim and Bhutan too. Later he moved to Sharifabad, Srinagar to Command yet another Helicopter Unit. 2002 he faced No 3 selection board to be promoted to the rank of Colonel. On being approved as Colonel He had the Golden period of his life to assume Command of Prestigious 213 Rocket Regiment.