The Life Story of X Group Pay
Birth and Purpose
I was born in the proud family of the Indian Air Force on a symbolic day — the day my creators decided that technical skill and dedication needed a special recognition. My parents, the Government of India and the Air Force leadership, gave me a name: ‘X Group Pay’. My purpose was clear — to honour the men who worked tirelessly to ensure the airworthiness of every aircraft, day and night.
Childhood and Standards
In my childhood, I was nurtured with high standards. Only those with an AICTE-recognized Diploma in Engineering or its equivalent obtained after rigorous training and passing a centralised technical examination including Theory, Practical, and Viva could claim me. I became a badge of excellence, tied to the most skilled technical trades who worked with precision on the complex machinery of advanced fighter jets, weapon systems, and ground support equipment.
Glory Days in Service
As I grew, I witnessed my family — the X Group Airmen — serving with unmatched dedication. I stood with them during the wars of 1965 and 1971, through the tense days of the Kargil conflict in 1999, and in countless humanitarian aids during natural calamities. My name was respected, my value undisputed, and my purpose unquestioned.
Troubled Times
But life is not without trials. One day, dark clouds gathered. The 6th and 7th Central Pay Commissions also respected me with honors but my uncle (DESW) who was the custodian made an unequal division of my ancestral Property which created a most painful moment — my house was divided. Veterans who retired before a certain date were treated differently from those who came after, even though their qualifications and duties were exactly the same. I watched my own family split apart by an arbitrary line of control.
Loss of Recognition
As if that were not enough, the very qualification I represented — the AICTE Diploma equivalence earned through rigorous Air Force training — was questioned. My pride was bruised, my worth lowered, and many of my people felt their lifelong service had been diminished in the eyes of the very system they had served.
The Fight for Dignity
Yet, my story does not end here. My people have not abandoned me. They are fighting — in courts, through petitions, and in representations to the Ministry of Defence — to restore my dignity. They know my existence is not merely about a financial allowance; it is about respect, recognition, and the honour of those who kept our nation’s aircraft flying safely.
The Hope
I am X Group Pay — born from respect, raised in service, tested by adversity, and still standing with the hope that my family will one day be reunited, and my honour fully restored.
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