Om Prakash Mehra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Air Chief Marshal
O P Mehra
PVSM
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Air Chief Marshal Om Prakash Mehra
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| 8th Chief of Air Staff | |
| In office 16 January 1973 – 31 January 1976 |
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| President | V. V. Giri |
| Prime Minister | Indira Gandhi |
| Preceded by | Pratap Chandra Lal |
| Succeeded by | Hrushikesh Moolgavkar |
| 11th Governor of Maharashtra | |
| In office 3 November 1980 – 5 March 1982 |
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| Chief Minister | |
| Preceded by | Sri Sadiq Ali |
| Succeeded by | Air Chief Marshal I H Latif |
| 6th Governor of Rajasthan | |
| In office 6 March 1982 – 4 January 1985 |
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| Preceded by | K. D. Sharma |
| Succeeded by | Vasantrao Patil |
| 5th President of Indian Olympic Association | |
| In office 1975–1980 |
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| Preceded by | Bhalindra Singh |
| Succeeded by | Bhalindra Singh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 January 1919 Lahore, British India (now in Lahore, Pakistan) |
| Died | 8 November 2015 (aged 96) New Delhi, India |
| Alma mater | Sacred Heart Convent Central Model School Government College University Punjab University |
| Awards |
Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM)
Padma Vibhushan |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British India (1940–1947) India (from 1947) |
| Branch/service |  Royal Indian Air Force Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940-1976 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands | Maintenance Command No. 3 Squadron IAF |
| Battles/wars | World War II Indo-Pakistani War (1965) |
Air Chief Marshal Om Prakash Mehra (born January 19, 1919 – died November 8, 2015) was a very important officer in the Indian Air Force. He led the Air Force as the Chief of Air Staff from 1973 to 1976. For his excellent service, he received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 1968. This is a top military award for peace-time service. In 1977, he was given the Padma Vibhushan, which is India's second highest award for civilians. After his time in the Air Force, he became the Governor of Maharashtra from 1980 to 1982. Later, he served as the Governor of Rajasthan from 1985 to 1987. He was married to Satya Mehra and they had four children: Sunil, Parveen, Rahul, and Amitava.
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Early Life and Education
Om Prakash Mehra was born in Lahore on January 19, 1919. At that time, Lahore was part of British India. He started his schooling at the Sacred Heart Convent. He then went to the Central Model School, finishing in 1933. After school, he studied at Government College University, Lahore. In 1940, he earned a master's degree in history from Punjab University.
A Career in the Air Force
After learning to fly at a club in Lahore, Om Prakash Mehra joined the Indian Air Force. He became a Pilot Officer on November 30, 1940. Once his training was complete, he joined No.1 Squadron in August 1941.
In March 1946, Mehra was chosen for a special role in Australia. He worked with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, helping to support British Commonwealth forces in Japan. In February 1947, he returned to India. He became the Chief Ground Instructor at the No.1 Advanced Flying School in Ambala.
Leading the Air Force
In August 1947, he was promoted to Wing Commander. He then became the leader of the Elementary Flying Training School in Jodhpur. In August 1963, he was promoted again to Air Vice Marshal. He took charge of the Maintenance Command. He served in this role during the 1965 War.
On January 26, 1968, he received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his outstanding service. In March 1968, he became an Air Marshal. Soon after, he was made the Deputy Chief of Air Staff. In early 1971, he became the Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bangalore.
On January 15, 1973, he returned to Air Headquarters. He was named the new Chief of Air Staff. He took over from Air Chief Marshal PC Lal. He finished his term on January 31, 1976. Air Chief Marshal Hrushikesh Moolgavkar took over from him.
Life After the Air Force
After retiring from the Air Force, Om Prakash Mehra continued to serve India. He represented India at a UNESCO meeting in Paris. In January 1977, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan.
He became the governor of Maharashtra from November 3, 1980, to March 5, 1982. After that, he served as the Governor of Rajasthan. His term there was from March 6, 1982, to November 4, 1985.
Air Chief Marshal Mehra was also very involved in sports. He was elected president of the Indian Olympic Association in 1975. He played a key role in India hosting the 1982 Asian Games. From 1978 to 1980, he was the President of the Asian Games Federation. This organization is now known as the Olympic Council of Asia. He remained an Honorary Life President of the Olympic Council of Asia. He was also an honorary life member of the Durand Football Tournament Society, which organizes the Durand Cup.
In January 2010, his autobiography, Memories: Sweet and Sour, was released. India's Vice President, M. Hamid Ansari, launched the book in New Delhi. He also served as chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Centre for Air Power Studies.
In 2012, he was living in Delhi. He was known as the oldest living student of Panjab University, Chandigarh. Air Chief Marshal Om Prakash Mehra passed away on November 8, 2015, at the age of 96.
Works
- Memories Sweet And Sour by Air Chief Marshal OP Mehra. KW Publisher, 2010. ISBN: 9380502095.
