Indian Air Force officer and hero of the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft and earning the Maha Vir Chakra award for bravery.
Ravish Malhotra is renowned for being part of the prestigious Intercosmos program, a remarkable achievement for an Indian Air Force officer. In 1982, he was selected to train for spaceflight in the Soviet Union, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey.
Born on December 25, 1943, in Lahore, British India, Ravish Malhotra grew up in a Punjabi Hindu family with three siblings. After India's independence and partition in 1947, his family moved to Delhi and later settled in Calcutta. He studied at St. Thomas School in Calcutta, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.
Malhotra's journey in the Indian Air Force began when he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA). Initially, he had aspired to join the Indian Navy but was instead drafted into the Indian Air Force due to his eyesight not being suitable for the Navy. After graduating from the NDA, he was commissioned as an officer in 1963 and assigned to the Vampire Squadron, flying the De Havilland Vampire.
During his tenure, he was posted to the IAF base in Barrackpore near Calcutta and progressively graduated to flying other aircraft, including the Dassault Mystre, HAL HF24 Marut, and the Soviet Sukhoi Su-22. Malhotra was also part of the IAF fighter squadron that conducted air raids over Pakistan in 1971.
In 1982, Ravish Malhotra was chosen to train for spaceflight in the Soviet Union's Intercosmos program, alongside Rakesh Sharma. Although he served as a backup for Sharma on the Soyuz T-11 mission to Salyut 7 space station, he never got the opportunity to venture into space himself. Malhotra's selection for the program was a significant achievement, as it marked the first time an Indian was involved in a space mission.
Malhotra's contributions to the Indian space program were recognized with the Soviet Order of Friendship of Peoples in 1984 and the Kirti Chakra in 1985. His achievements have inspired generations of Indian space enthusiasts and paved the way for future collaborations between India and other space-faring nations.
Ravish Malhotra's remarkable journey is a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and passion for flying and space exploration. His selection for the Intercosmos program and subsequent achievements have cemented his place in Indian history as a pioneering figure in the country's space program.
