Sqn Ldr Shishir Tewari – The hero who lives in our hearts

Great nations are not built by brick and mortar but by people who shed sweat in peace and blood in war and peace. Have you wondered what makes so-called ordinary men and women go beyond the call of duty and perform acts of extraordinary merit and gallantry? Well, it’s recognition and praise.

No man is born brave, but for a few who conquer fear at the right time instead of running away from the situation. Fear is always something to be afraid of. There are moments when even some of the bravest of brave men tremble with fear when they see – the shadow of death — close by. On the other hand, there are known cowards who overcome fear at the right time to save the nation and the lives of fellow soldiers.

Squadron Leader Shishir Tewari reminds us of the ultimate price paid to defend our skies and protect our land. A trained, efficient and daring Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Sqn Ldr Shishir Tewari was not just a sky warrior, but a son, a friend, and a symbol of unwavering loyalty towards the nation and organisation he belonged to.

Early Life and Background

Born in the family of Gp Capt (Retd) Sharad Tewari, and Savita Tewari in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Shishir was raised with love and care and grew up in an environment of education, hard work, and service to the nation. Shishir was good at both academics and sports and always tried to excel in everything he undertook. Right from early childhood Shishir wanted to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) and follow the footsteps of his father Gp Capt (Retd) Sharad Tewari.

Shishir Tewari wanted to fly and serve his country in the most challenging and adventurous way possible.

Destination – Indian Air Force

Shishir Tewari was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a Flying Officer on June 19, 2010. The profession he chose demanded mental agility, resilience, and leadership qualities besides physical endurance. But through his hard work and dedication Shishir climbed the ladder of success – one step at a time and quickly grafted a place for himself in the hearts and minds of his seniors, juniors and contemporaries. Shishir had an impeccable service record and his skills as a pilot were highly valued by his superiors. He was known for his attention to detail, calm demeanour under pressure, and a deep sense of responsibility. These qualities made him conspicuous as an above-average officer and gentleman.

Also Read: IAF: guardian of the Indian aerospace

Soon Shishir built a rock-solid reputation as an outstanding helicopter pilot and was posted to IAF’s prestigious 157 Helicopter Unit in the Eastern Air Command, which was responsible for air maintenance and logistics operations. This required the pilots to operate in the most difficult and treacherous terrain and weather conditions in the rugged mountains of Arunachal Pradesh. This region is famous for its unpredictable weather conditions, and treacherous terrain. This was the ultimate test of bravery that Shishir had to face.

The Final Mission

On October 6, 2017, Squadron Leader Shishir Tewari was tasked to execute a challenging air maintenance mission in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Their mission was to air-drop essential supplies for the Indian Army troops to survive in the easternmost part of India – which remains cut off and isolated for most of the year because of the hazardous terrain and sub-zero weather conditions.

Air support is the only option for delivering ration, medicine, ammunition, and casualty evacuation in these remote god-forsaken areas where there are no roads and people have to either walk for 5-6 days with heavy loads tied behind their backs or be transported by ponies and mules.

The operation was routine, but the environment was anything but ordinary. Shishir and his team were flying a Mi-17 V5 – one of the most advanced helicopters in the IAF’s fleet.

As the helicopter soared through the skies above the mountains for the supply drop there was a technical failure. At around 6 AM, after the supplies had been dropped at the dropping zone about 120 km north of Tawang, the net holding the jerry cans of kerosene being dropped, got entangled in the aircraft’s rear rotor. As a result, the chopper caught fire and started losing height suddenly. Before anyone could realise what was happening the helicopter crashed killing all seven personnel on board, including 29-year-old Sqn Ldr Shishir Tewari who had recently married.

The news sent shockwaves in the Indian Air Force, the nation, the media and his family who were at a loss to figure out – how the void was going to be filled, if at all.

Shishir’s untimely death was a devastating blow, not only to the IAF but to everyone who knew him. He had always been a beacon of positivity, strength, and hope. However, coming from a service background his father Gp Capt (Retd) Sharad Tewari and mother Savita Tewari decided to put up a brave front and chose to honour their son’s memory in the most exemplary way possible.

A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice

Squadron Leader Tewari’s premature death is an unforgettable tragedy but at the same time, an inspiration for countless people to be brave, to do something extraordinary, something different, and to serve others. The most difficult situation for any father or mother is to accept the fact that their son is no more and will not be there to look after and support them in their old age. But instead of shedding tears and succumbing to grief Gp Capt (Retd) Sharad Tewari and his wife Savita Tewari decided to ensure that their son’s legacy lived beyond his lifespan and honoured his spirit of service.

This was the genesis of the idea behind the Shaheed Squadron Leader Shishir Tewari Memorial Charitable Trust in memory of their son.  

Also Read: Why IAF aircrafts need to land on highways?

As a result instead of shedding tears – the Tewaris decided to give something back to the society and wipe off the tears in other people’s life.

So in their moment of profound grief – both Gp Capt (Retd) Sharad Tewari and his wife Savita Tewari decided to distribute love and compassion and light up the dim and dark lives and uplift the underprivileged people by educating their children as a tribute to the martyr’s memory as well as unconditional love and compassion for humanity.

Today the Shaheed Squadron Leader Shishir Tewari Memorial Charitable Trust provides education to children in impoverished areas, ensuring that the children of slums and less-privileged communities have access to the opportunities they deserve.

One of the first projects they undertook was to educate children in the Yamuna Khadar slum of Delhi. As a conscious decision to uplift the lives of children who wanted to learn, the trust started teaching underprivileged children who were otherwise deprived of the opportunity from August 15, 2018, onwards. There was no looking back thereafter.

Today Shaheed Squadron Leader Shishir Tewari Memorial Charitable Trust educates about 500 children from the slums of Delhi.

The Hero Lives On

Shishir Tewari’s story is not one of bravery and valour on the battlefield but of everyday courage in the face of danger and commitment to duty. Shishir will always be remembered —through his family’s charitable work and the countless lives that he has transformed.

Sqn Ldr Shishir Tewari is no longer with us, but his story is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who wear the uniform and serve the country. His dedication to duty and deep love for the nation manifests in acts of kindness, selflessness, and devotion and continues to inspire not just his

Sqn Ldr Shishir Tewari’s story will be remembered for generations to come. He was a hero not because of the uniform he wore, but because of the character he embodied and his courage to face adverse situations in real life. These are some of the qualities that make him a hero who lives in our hearts forever.

His parents’ charitable work continues to touch many lives and inspires others to make the world a better place to live.

The show must go on

The Tewari family’s decision to educate and empower underprivileged children is a worthwhile cause to at least give back to society what they can’t give to their son, even if they tried. By helping these children, the Tewari family wants to ensure that Shishir’s spirit lives forever in their hearts and minds.

It is a noble cause for which you can contribute your time, money or both to make a powerful positive impact. Here are a few options you could consider:

Contribute time (volunteer)

• Give your spare time to children who need education, career development, and life skills.

Contribute money

• Fixed amount every month: You can contribute monthly donations for a fixed amount to support Shaheed Squadron Leader Shishir Tewari Memorial Charitable Trust’s programs and initiatives. 
• Share your happiness – whenever you can by donating any amount you can, on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other such family event.

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