Firdaus Darabshah Mogal, SC

Biography

Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal was born on 15 October 1974 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the eldest of three sons of Shri Darabshah and Smt Armin. He completed his schooling at the Maneckji Cooper Educational Trust School, where he excelled in academics and extracurricular activities and displayed early signs of leadership and an adventurous spirit. Drawn to a life of honour and discipline, he joined the National Defence Academy in 1992, where rigorous training honed his physical endurance, mental toughness and leadership abilities. Commissioned into the Indian Navy as a Sub Lieutenant on 1 January 1998, he volunteered for the elite Submarine Arm and completed the Basic Submariner Course with distinction. He served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer aboard INS Shalki and later as Training Coordinator at the Submarine School, INS Satvahana, Visakhapatnam, shaping the next generation of submariners. His professional competence earned him a commendation from the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, in 2007. On 26 May 2010 he took charge as Executive Officer of the frontline submarine INS Shankush. On 29 August 2010, while deployed, a defect was detected on the starboard outer exhaust flap, and a repair party was sent onto the casing early on 30 August in heavy seas. A powerful wave swept three sailors overboard and left a fourth badly injured. Lt Cdr Mogal braved the pitching deck to carry the injured sailor to safety over 20 gruelling minutes, then rejoined the rescue of the men overboard. When a wave washed all of them into the sea, he gathered the men, ensured every one boarded before him, and helped each to safety. As he finally climbed up, another wave hurled him back into the sea, causing fatal head injuries. Having saved six shipmates at the cost of his own life, he was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra.