Some stories demand to be told—not just for the heroism they embody, but for the legacy they leave behind. When I met Sarah, she spoke with deep conviction about her father, Air Commodore K.C. Kuruvilla (Retd.), a man whose life was defined by courage, sacrifice, and an unbreakable sense of duty. She wanted the world to hear his story, and as I listened, I knew it was one that had to be shared.
As our very first interview spotlight of 2025—and perhaps the first to feature someone who has given so much in service to his country—this conversation is both a tribute and a reminder of the resilience that shapes history. A decorated Indian Air Force fighter pilot and Vir Chakra recipient, Air Commodore Kuruvilla holds a rare world record: surviving three ejections and continuing to fly over 1,000 combat missions. Shot down during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he spent 12 months as a prisoner of war, only to emerge with his spirit unshaken and his commitment to service stronger than ever.
His daring missions, strategic strikes, and unwavering resolve exemplify the highest levels of courage. Today, his story continues to inspire future generations—an extraordinary testament to valor, sacrifice, and a lifelong dedication to his nation.
Get to know him a bit in this interview - his story, in his own words.
Your strike missions during the 1971 Indo-Pak War demonstrate unparalleled courage and devotion. As you flew those critical missions, what was your mindset, and what drove you to face such extraordinary risks?

When one is faced with combat and a life and death situation, it is fascinating how your life filled with childhood memories and experiences flash by your eyes in a fraction of a second. My mindset during the 1971 war missions was shaped by these earliest experiences. At age 5, I was sent to boarding school by my family and learnt from my father first hand what 'change brings opportunity’ really meant. I dove into swimming, boxing, and rugby from an early age which built my physical and mental resilience. A pivotal lesson came from my father at 16 when he also taught me to 'recognize my limits' - this proved to be invaluable wisdom for my combat missions. My mindset was one of determination and psychological resilience to carry out my mission with a laser-focused analysis of the dynamic combat situation, while flying a supersonic jet & making split-second decisions between life and death as the situation demanded. What drove me was my personal dream and passion to serve my country, uphold the lives of my squadron mates, professional pride in carrying out near impossible missions, and the responsibility to protect civilians.
The 12 months you spent as a Prisoner of War after your aircraft was hit must have been an immense test of resilience. What kept you strong during captivity, and what did you learn about yourself during that time?

The 12 months in Captivity in a Pakistani Prison most certainly was a test of resilience. I am the eldest of 7 siblings in my family. When I turned 5, my parents sent me off to boarding school from where I chose to go into military training at 16 and chose to become a fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force. Living on my own from such an early age and the rigorous trainings that followed prepared me for separation from all comforts and institutional living.
As a fighter pilot, I understood and accepted mortality - this mindset proved crucial during captivity. The fighter pilot training in calculated risk assessment and maintaining composure under pressure was invaluable and I had time in isolation to reflect on the early teachings from my parents -my father's wisdom about 'recognizing limits' helped me pace myself through that year.. What I learned most about myself was discovering untested levels of endurance and how early life experiences had unknowingly prepared me for such extreme adversity. The hardest challenges were maintaining mental discipline, creating routine in a hostile environment, and dealing with the psychological impact of time loss - I even started forgetting how to spell words.
The experience revealed depths of resilience I never knew I had, including the acceptance that I might never return home.In a hostile environment, it is your mental and emotional foundation that helps you survive extreme and long-term adversity. The year as a captive revealed deeper aspects of my character; like the acceptance that I may never get back….which is something that I had never known existed in me.
You were awarded the Vir Chakra for your gallantry and service to the nation. What does this recognition mean to you personally, and how do you see your legacy inspiring future generations?
The Vir Chakra Award, is a very prestigious military decoration - awarded to me as a symbol of excellence in fighter aviation, tactical and combat skills, unwavering duty to the nation and validation of mission-focused thinking in warfare. The award holds deep personal significance to me beyond the National honor itself. It is the ultimate validation of my own core values - to dedicate my life and mission to serve my country, while acknowledging the calculated courage required in extreme conditions.
I know so many who have dedicated their lives to serve and fight for our country to protect our future generations, and yet this national award isn’t granted to them. I am honoured to be a recipient of this prestigious award knowing how difficult the selection process is and therefore the recognition from peers and younger generations of military officers it brings. To me, it represents the bridge between my personal achievement and national service as a tangible reminder of the intangible qualities it takes to serve your country to the highest degree with courage and dedication.
To future generations, as my journey from childhood discipline to military excellence, I see the importance of building resilience early in life. Then with proper training, unwavering dedication, and “mind over matter”, one can overcome any extreme situation to live the life of your dreams. My mantra is - set your goals high, “change brings opportunity, so jump on it and just do it”!! For youth considering military service, my personal missions and results have been analysed, contributed to air combat tactics and strategies and used as a model for military leadership and courage, patriotic service and sacrifice.
Reflecting on your experiences and the missions you undertook, what do you believe is the true meaning of courage and service to one’s country?

As a fighter pilot, I learned that courage isn't about fearlessness, but about facing fear with purpose. Every mission I flew represented not individual glory but national duty - the essence of 'Service Before Self.' True courage is about calculated risk-taking for mission success, protecting fellow pilots and ground forces, and standing firm in defense of national interests.
Most importantly, what I learned through combat and captivity is that courage and service aren't measured in medals or personal achievements. They're measured in how we inspire others to rise above themselves, how we protect our fellow servicemen, and how we uphold the timeless values that make our military forces the guardians of our nation's future.
At moments like the recent reunions and commemorations, what emotions and reflections come to mind as you reconnect with comrades and honor the memories of war heroes?

On Dec 6, 2024 we had the most recent commemoration at the famous The Wagah Border. It was those very border gates I had walked through on my return from Pakistan after serving 1 year as a Prisoner of War. I was deeply moved by the inter-service recognition given to me 53 years later. It was a surreal experience sitting there with my wife Grace and daughter Pritha as we sat beside the border security forces as VIP Guests of Honor while 2500 members of the audience were handed out a 4 page printed and laminated brochure of my life story.
The presence of Colonel Chand, an 89-year-old Army officer, who witnessed my fighter mission from the ground had been waiting all these years to tell his side of the story, watching me from the ground and traveled all this way to speak about me - it was particularly touching and so nostalgic. The event stirred powerful emotions - a mix of pride and humility, gratitude for survival, and bittersweet memories of wartime. It was a full circle, from 1971 to 2024, a reminder of the past and awareness of the present, reinforcing the value of service, seeing younger generations carry the torch forward and honor the enormous effort for interconnected military operations to keep our nation.
How can we best honor the sacrifices of our armed forces and contribute meaningfully to our own communities?

We best honor military sacrifices through active remembrance - not just participating in commemorative events, but truly understanding and sharing stories of valor and first hand accounts, memories and experiences with younger generations. We must also show our support for military families during deployments, creating employment opportunities for veterans, and helping with their transition to civilian life.
Our civilian communities, schools, small and large corporates can also lean on and incorporate military values into education programs, supporting veteran-owned businesses, and creating platforms for veterans to share their experiences. The key is fostering a deeper understanding between military and civilian life while building strong, supportive networks that preserve our military heritage and uphold our legacy.
In one sentence, how would you describe the power of service and its ability to transform communities?
The power of service lies in its ability to transform ordinary individuals into extraordinary defenders of our nation, teaching us that true courage isn't just about individual bravery, but about inspiring others to rise above themselves for the greater good of our communities and country.
Looking back on your journey, what inspired you to dedicate your life to service, and how did your early experiences shape this calling?
My journey of traveling alone began at the age of 5 when I traveled across the country from home in the south to boarding school in the north. As an unaccompanied minor, I also had the privileged access to Dakota cockpits with Captain Abraham, which planted early seeds of aviation fascination. Regular family transfers and solo air travel at a young age built resilience and independence. The turning point came when I turned 16 and learned that military aviation was a possible career path for me. My tough boarding school experience and even tougher NDA (National Defence Academy) training prepared me not only for military operations & discipline, combat and self defence but also perseverance and exposure to professional aviators. These aviators became my much needed role models, as I was so far away from home.
Looking back, my dedication to service wasn't a sudden choice but a natural culmination of these formative experiences - each air journey, each moment in the cockpit, each conversation with the pilot and flight crew, each hour in the hangars - all contributed to making my life's mission to become a fighter pilot to serve my nation, a reality.
Your dedication has impacted many lives, but what has been the most rewarding or humbling moment for you during this journey?
Surprisingly, my most humbling moments weren't the combat victories, recognition, or even the Vir Chakra. Instead, it was discovering how my service touched others' lives unexpectedly. It was a hawaldar in Pakistan who saved my life, to Colonel Chand, now 89, who searched for me for 50 years to learn if I had survived that fateful mission, found me and called for a union and invited us back to the Wagah Border with over 2500 people in the audience to share his story of witnessing my mission from the ground.
Meeting the children of my squadron mates who grew up inspired by my example, hearing from young cadets how my story of resilience gave them strength - these moments continue to show me that despite the fact that I was among the youngest officers during the war, newly recruited and a low-ranked young officer, I was part of something so much larger than myself. The ultimate reward is knowing that my journey - from that curious boy watching Captain Abraham fly the Dakota, to the fighter pilot defending his nation - has helped preserve the peace and security that families in our country depend on us to maintain. It is a humbling responsibility.
1000 Spotlights: Why We Give reflects our mission of giving back, to mentor and to inspire those around us. Through a series of interview questions, we explore intrinsic motivations behind why we give, and talk with those inclined to make a difference in the lives of others. If you are involved in charitable activities, volunteer and paid academic engagements or in community service, we want to talk to you.
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