User:Janinagavankar/sandbox

Shivaji Wasudev Shahane was Brigadier General in the Indian Army. He served in during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948 as Major and was awarded with Vir Chakra for gallantry in Jammu and Kashmir operations for his complete disregard of personal safety. He was presented his award during the Republic Day ceremony of 1950. He was promoted as Lieutenant Colonel in 1950, retiring as a Brigadier General. He was considered a pioneer of Air Observation and was the second Air Observation Pilot to receive a gallantry award in history for his daredevilry, despite hostile intense anti-aircraft fire.

He named one of his four daughters after Kashmiri army camp Mohra. His grandchildren include Sonya Gavankar, the first Indian American to compete in Miss America, Hollywood actress and musician Janina Gavanka r , and Lieutenant Commander Aditi Khanna, winner of the Admiral Nelson Sword of Excellence.