Twenty three years after sergeant P.V.N.R Prasad of the Indian Air Force laid down his life for the nation during the Kargil war, his widow got the monetary allowance for the gallantry award – Vayusena Medal – days before the country observed Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Sergeant Prasad was killed in action while fighting against Pakistan during the Kargil war in May 1999. For his act of bravery, the Union Government posthumously awarded Vayu Sena Medal (VSM) by the then President of India. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26 every year.
Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis sent a letter to Ms. Anuradha, widow of Sgt Prasad informing her of the Gallantry award. However, she did not receive any gazette notification or letter from Air Force for claiming the monetary allowance for VSM due to which she never approached Air Force or Sainik Welfare Department for the same.