March 18, 2013 a great man passed away, he was one of the biggest heroes of Pakistan - Air Commodore M. M. Alam (Retired). Except for small news here and there, no one cared to present a small article on the main pages of the local newspapers or relay a small documentary on the electronic media. Mr. Alam created a sensation in the 1965 Indo-Pak war when he shot down numerous Indian Air Force fighter aircraft in the shortest possible time, when they tried to attack strategic targets in Pakistan. He has the highest number of kills in the air in the sub-continent and received a coveted gallantry award `Sitara-e-Jurat’ (Star of Courage) `Bar’ (i.e., he received it twice). Thus becoming the only war hero who received back to back Sitara-e-Jurat in the matter of few days.
He died after a long protracted illness. But it was unfortunate that none of the well known politicians or dignitaries visited him and it is highly commendable on the part of the present Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt who visited him regularly during his illness despite his busy schedule. Pakistanis are demoralised due to the country’s dismal situation. Projecting such heroes in an appropriate way through media would bring fresh hope to the hearts of our youngsters.
I also request the concerned authorities to take out a commemorative stamp in his name and an air force base should be named after him. Besides, a road, in a busy area, in each big city of all the provinces of the country should also be named after him. Up till now only Lahore has `M. M. Alam Road’ and I hope that rest would follow. The D.H.A. in Karachi should take the lead as he spent much of his post retirement time in Karachi and breathed his last and eventually was buried in the same city.
This would be just a small step to remember one of the greatest fighter pilots of all times, who is arguably the best in modern jet warfare era and no record book of air force history of the world would be complete without mentioning the name of Air Commodore M. M. Alam (Retired).
M. ASIF,
Karachi, March 19.