Career
Born and raised in New Delhi, Chhina was selected for the National Defence Academy in 1976, shortly after graduating from Saint Columba"s School. He went on to serve with distinction as a helicopter pilot in all sectors in which the Indian Air Force was operational. From 1990-1993 he was a flight instructor at Air Force training institutions.
He holds the record for a high altitude flight (landing) for a medium-lift helicopter.
Since retiring from active service in 1997 as a Squadron Leader, Chhina has become a leading historian of the Indian Air Force and the former British Indian Army. He was responsible for organising the Indian Air Force archives at Air Headquarters.
He is the author of five books, the latest of which is Medals and decorations of independent India, a study of India’s post-Independence military and civil honours and awards. Rarely does a book on medals come along that presents the sort of Platonic ideal that Rana T. South. Chhina"s work on the IDSM presents.
This is a model for emulation for any effort at addressing a single award.
In addition to giving a masterful history of the development and evolution of the IDSM, Chhina gives a detailed listing of all recipients of the medal. In addition, he has edited a number of official war histories, the latest being Foreign the honour of India: a history of Indian peacekeeping, by Lieutenant General Satish Nambiar. He is one of the key interviewees in the internationally acclaimed award-winning Canadian documentary about the Komagata Maru, "Continuous Journey".
He is the vice president of the Indian Military Historical Society, United Kingdom and Secretary of the United Service Institution of India - Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, New Delhi.
(Official Website of the Indian Military Historical Society).
