New Delhi: The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, on Friday wished Air Marshal PV Iyer (Retd) on his 97th birthday. In a post on X, Singh described the veteran officer as a source of inspiration for India’s youth. Iyer, popularly known as the “Running Air Marshal”, is recognized for his dedication to fitness, running and an active lifestyle.
Singh wished him excellent health and a long, fulfilling life, acknowledging his contribution as an inspiration beyond his career in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Who is Air Marshal PV Iyer?
Air Marshal Parameswar Venkatachalam Iyer was commissioned into the IAF’s equipment branch on December 5, 1951. According to his service record published by Bharat Rakshak, he was specially selected as assistant air attaché at the Indian embassy in Moscow.
After his return to India, Iyer took charge of an equipment depot responsible for maintaining spares for Russian-origin aircraft. The inventory proved particularly important during the 1971 operations, while his leadership at the depot earned him the Vishisht Seva Medal. He later commanded two other depots, where he improved their operational efficiency.
On December 1, 1981, he was appointed air officer logistics management at headquarters maintenance command in the rank of air commodore. During this tenure, he helped formalize the transportation of aircraft engines through civilian road networks, improving their availability at Air Force units.
Iyer was promoted to air vice marshal on February 1, 1984. He introduced greater involvement of Air Force liaison establishments in the management of reusable aircraft components, known as rotables, to reduce the number of aircraft grounded due to maintenance requirements.
On May 1, 1985, he took over as senior maintenance staff officer at maintenance command in the rank of Air Marshal. His efforts helped clear many aircraft-on-ground cases during 1985-86. He retired in October 1987 and received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in the same year.
From Air Force fitness test to the “Running Air Marshal”
Iyer’s identity as the “Running Air Marshal” grew out of his personal dedication to physical fitness from 1976 onwards, when the IAF made annual fitness tests compulsory for all its officers. He developed a lifelong habit of running and is said to have completed 1.2 lakh km in more than five decades.
He also took part in the first Asian Veterans Athletic Meet in Singapore in 1981 and won the 5,000m race. He was chairman of the Air Force Sports Control Board from 1984 to 1985.
Iyer initiated the Air Force Anniversary Run from Agra to Delhi in October 1985. The IAF remembered the run in an X post before the Sekhon Marathon 2025, saying that Iyer, then 55, organized a 250-strong IAF team to cover 220km until they reached Air Force Station Palam.
At the closing ceremony of the run, Iyer handed the IAF flag to Air Chief Marshal Denis LaFontaine. The event gave both the personnel and the runners a chance to show their endurance and sportsmanship.
PV Iyer’s recent gym video shows his fitness at 97
Iyer’s family also wished him on social media. His daughter, Mina Anand, posted a video clip on X of her father working out with dumbbells at the gym. She described him as fit and fine.
His son, Param Iyer, a former executive director at the World Bank, former CEO of Niti Aayog and former secretary to the Indian government, also wished him, describing his father as an inspiration to the family, friends and well-wishers. His daughter, Indira Jayaraman, also shared a message on X, writing, “Proud of our dad.”