Suresh Prakash Yadav, or SPY as he came to be called from the time joined INS Mysore as a naval cadet on passing out of the NDA. We will always remain in our hearts. A great thing about him to remember is his radiant and ever-present smile. Would it be an exaggeration to say that his smile went not only from ear to ear but around the back of his head as well? One of those rare guys who one realized was smiling even while standing behind him!

SPY was born on 27 Apr 1960, and he would have been 59 today. He was a Navy brat- his father had retired by the time he joined the NDA and SPY loved the Navy and flying. A product of Military School Ajmer, he was courageous enough to state his hobbies in the first term arrival information as “music, dramatics and modelling.” We can be sure he must have front-rolled quite a bit around Kilo for stating these instead of some other more “acceptable” hobbies. But, he always spoke his piece. Modelling? Dramatics? Well, the photo with Midshipman Pradeep Londhe (who sent the picture) in INS Betwa is testimony to his being a “model” philosopher! Since he was a naval aviator flying the Alize with 310 Squadron- an ASW and attack aircraft that was catapulted from INS Vikrant and landed with a tailhook hooking on to a wire, SPY ended up spending several years in Goa. (INS Hansa, the naval air station was the base for Vikrant’s embarked squadrons). Apparently, he used to wear the tiniest swimming trunks on the beaches in his younger days that few navy buddies had the gumption to imitate.

He was a crack strike aviator who flew several sorties in OP PAWAN. He did his watchkeeping after his flying training and before joining the DSSC in 1994, commanded Coast Guard Ship, Avvaiyyar. Those with him at Wellington would easily recall his enthusiasm and talent for singing which had got even better from NDA days. There were four-five 56 “Killers” there. Boy, was he spirited and enthusiastic about everything, including introducing many of us to wild boar meat.

Through his Academy and Navy days, SPY was always known for his warmth, sense of humour and high-spiritedness. He was serving in NHQ after DSSC when he answered his summons after prolonged hospitalization on 11 Nov 1996 just a little over 36 years old. SPY, you buddy, shipmate, sailor, aviator, “model”, singer, husband, father; we remember your energy and smile. Smile on and continue resting in peace. And, may you forever hook on wire number 3!

He is survived by his lady wife Saroj (Sonu) and two sons. She coped with this loss with great fortitude and courage and now lives in Sec 52 in Gurugram. Their sons, Mayank, 34 and Ishan, 31, are working in Zomato and E&Y respectively having done Engineering and MBA.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏