Rajnath Singh Greets 'Running Air Marshal' PV Iyer on 97th Birthday

Key Takeaways

Air Marshal PV Iyer turned 97 on 30 October 2026 .

He is widely known by the nickname 'The Running Air Marshal' , reflecting his celebrated commitment to physical fitness.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly greeted him on X, calling him 'a true source of inspiration for India's youth.' Singh wished the veteran 'excellent health and a long, fulfilling life.' Senior political leaders routinely use social media to spotlight retired armed forces personnel, but Iyer's specific nickname makes this tribute stand out.

A 97-year-old Indian Air Force veteran is still running — and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wants every young Indian to know it. On Friday, 30 October 2026, Singh took to X to extend his warmest wishes to Air Marshal PV Iyer, a figure celebrated in defence circles by the remarkable nickname 'The Running Air Marshal.'

Singh wrote: 'My warmest greetings to Air Marshal PV Iyer on his 97th birthday! Popularly known as 'The Running Air Marshal', he is a true source of inspiration for India's youth. I wish him excellent health and a long, fulfilling life.'

The man behind the nickname

Air Marshal PV Iyer earned his distinctive moniker through a commitment to physical fitness that has outlasted his active service career by decades. The nickname 'The Running Air Marshal' has made him a rare kind of celebrity in veteran circles — less defined by rank than by the sheer, stubborn vitality the title conjures. At 97, he stands as a living argument against age as a ceiling. Indian defence ministers and senior political leaders routinely use social media to spotlight retired armed forces personnel — but birthday tributes that carry a specific, earned nickname tend to cut through the noise. Singh's framing of Iyer as 'a true source of inspiration for India's youth' elevates the message beyond protocol: it is a deliberate signal that fitness, service, and longevity are values worth broadcasting.

Why a veteran's birthday lands as a public moment

In the current environment, where the Indian Armed Forces are placing fresh emphasis on physical standards and veteran recognition, a message from the Defence Minister naming a 97-year-old Air Marshal who still runs is more than courtesy. It is a quiet but pointed reminder that the culture of service does not retire with a uniform. Singh, who has championed veteran welfare and defence modernisation in his tenure, uses moments like this to stitch individual stories into a larger national narrative. For India's defence establishment and the families of veterans, seeing the country's top civilian defence authority pause to mark a nonagenarian airman's birthday is the kind of institutional acknowledgement that carries genuine warmth — and genuine weight.

Point of View

Service, and resilience as public goods. By specifically naming Iyer 'a source of inspiration for India's youth', Singh anchors a ceremonial birthday message to a broader cultural argument — that the military ethos offers lessons far beyond the barracks. At a moment when India is simultaneously modernising its defence forces and investing in youth fitness programmes, a 97-year-old running airman is symbolically useful in the best possible sense. The message is light in volume but deliberate in framing.

NationPress

30 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Air Marshal PV Iyer?

Air Marshal PV Iyer is a retired Indian Air Force veteran widely known as 'The Running Air Marshal', celebrated for his exceptional commitment to physical fitness well into old age. He turned 97 on 30 October 2026.

Why is Air Marshal PV Iyer called 'The Running Air Marshal'?

The nickname 'The Running Air Marshal' reflects Air Marshal PV Iyer's renowned dedication to running and physical fitness, a trait that has defined his public identity long after his active service. The precise origin of the nickname is part of veteran lore surrounding him.

What did Rajnath Singh say about Air Marshal PV Iyer?

Rajnath Singh wrote on X that Iyer is 'a true source of inspiration for India's youth' and wished him 'excellent health and a long, fulfilling life' on his 97th birthday.

Why do Indian defence ministers post birthday wishes for veterans?

Indian defence ministers routinely use social media to honour retired armed forces personnel, reinforcing institutional respect for veterans and highlighting personal stories of service as role models for the public.

How old is Air Marshal PV Iyer in 2026?

Air Marshal PV Iyer turned 97 years old on 30 October 2026 .