Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 13: Group Captain Hansel Joseph Sequeira was honoured with the Yudh Seva Medal during a grand parade-cum-investiture ceremony held at the Air Force Station Hindon near New Delhi to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the Indian Force. To mark the foundation day of the IAF, every year October 8 is celebrated as Indian Air Force (IAF) Day. The ceremony was attended by the top brass of Indian Air Force including the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. Other notable dignitaries included the Chief of Defence Staff and the Army and Naval Chiefs.
The 42-year-old Group Captain Hansel Joseph Sequeira is from Mangaluru and is the son of Victor and Olivia Sequeira, who are currently residing in Bengaluru. Victor Sequeira is a retired revenue officer of Karnataka Housing Board, Bengaluru and Olivia Sequeira works as the branch manager of Syndicate Bank. Victor hails from Puttur, while Olivia has her roots from Kadri, Mangaluru.
Hansel completed his early education from St Joseph's Arts and Science College, Bengaluru and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2000. He is married to Prajwal Sequeira, daughter of Arthur and Sylvia Concessao of Mangaluru. Hansel's wife is the neice of Archbishop Emirates Vincent Concessao, New Delhi. Hansel has two children - daughter Elaina and son Luke.
He was one of the Air Force officers who were a part of the aerial strike that was carried out at the terror training camp in Balakot, Pakistan on February 26, 2019, as a response to the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The prestigious Yudh Seva Medal is an honour which recognizes distinguished service of a high order during war, conflict or hostilities.