New Delhi: Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of Tamil Nadu Chopper Crash – who was under treatment at Command Hospital in Bengaluru – passes away at the hospital.

A few months ago, Captain was conferred with the Shaurya Chakra for showcasing his extraordinary composure and skill when his Tejas aircraft underwent a technical snag during a sortie last year.

Following this, he had sent an inspiring letter to the students of his school. “It is ok to be mediocre. Not everyone will excel at school and not everyone will be able to score in the 90s. If you do, it’s an amazing achievement and must be applauded,” wrote Captain Varun Singh in a letter to the principal of the Army Public School in Chandimandir in Haryana.

“However, if you don’t, do not think that you are meant to be mediocre. You may be mediocre in school but it is by no means a measure of things to come in life,” he said.

“Find your calling, it could be art, music, graphic design. literature etc. Whatever you work towards, be dedicated, do your best. Never go to bed thinking I could have put in more effort,” he added.

Group Captain stated that he was always a mediocre student and barely scored first division in class 12, but he had a passion for aviation and airplanes. “I write to you filled with a sense of pride and humility. On August 15 this year, I have been awarded Shaurya Chakra by the President of India in recognition of an act of gallantry on October 12, 2020,” he said.

“I credit this prestigious award to all those I have been associated with over the years in school, NDA and thereafter the Air Force, as I firmly believe that my actions that day were a result of the grooming and mentoring by my teachers. instructors and peers over the years,” Group Captain Singh wrote in the letter dated September 18.

Group Captain stated that he wrote this not to blow his own trumpet or for a desire to get a pat on his back, but wants his children to know some of his experiences that might help them in the future.

“I was a very average student who barely scored first division in 12 class. Even though I was made the Discipline Prefect in 12th I was equally average even in sports and other co-curricular activities. But I had a passion for airplanes and aviation,” he wrote.

Varun Singh was presented Shaurya Chakra in August for tackling a possible mid-air accident after his Tejas light combat aircraft suffered a technical glitch last year.

“Despite being in extreme physical and mental stress in an extreme life-threatening situation, he maintained exemplary composure and recovered the aircraft, thereby exhibiting exceptional flying skill,” the award citation said.

Group Captain was on the Russian-made chopper as the liaison officer for the visit of CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.