“A life of service is not built in the absence of struggle, but in the courage to rise, the humility to learn, and the grace to give back.”
Introduction
Every life has its own rhythm—a blend of struggle, perseverance, growth, and service. The story of Dr. Gokuldas K. J. reflects exactly that. Born on 1st July 1963 in Palakkad, Kerala, into a modest family with strong values, he grew up in an environment where honesty, responsibility, and compassion were not lessons from books but practices woven into everyday life. His father, a retired naval man and postmaster, was known for his strict discipline and unwavering truthfulness, while his mother, who worked in the health department, was gentle, loving, and deeply caring. Together, they created a home where service to others and satisfaction with little became natural ways of living.
As the youngest child after two elder sisters, Gokuldas was deeply loved and protected, yet he also observed from close quarters the challenges of living within financial constraints. He saw how his parents supported their extended families and managed responsibilities with limited resources. These early experiences shaped his determination to build a future of stability, responsibility, and service. From his school years, he was drawn toward the Armed Forces. His participation in NCC at both school and college levels earned him multiple certificates, and it was here that his interest in discipline and national service became clearer.
Education was not always a smooth path for him. Though he initially enrolled in a B.Sc. Botany degree, financial limitations made it difficult to continue. Determined to secure a practical skill, he shifted to a two-year ITI Electrician course at Malampuzha, which gave him the foundation for a job-oriented career. Yet, his unfulfilled desire for higher learning stayed alive in him and later inspired him to pursue multiple degrees and professional qualifications while working.
The turning point came in 1983, when he was selected to join the Indian Air Force. This was not just the realization of his childhood dream but also the beginning of a long and diverse career. His early training as a Radio Fitter at the Communication Training Institute introduced him to the fast-developing field of electronics and telecommunication. His natural curiosity and willingness to adapt helped him complete a Diploma in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, which became a foundation for his technical expertise. Over the years, he served in different units, including postings in challenging terrains like glaciers at extreme altitudes, where survival itself was a test of endurance. His dedication earned him commendations and the respect of his peers and superiors.
In 1993, his career took another leap when he was selected and trained as a Flight Signaller for the IL-76 MD aircraft with 44 Squadron. This opened doors to international missions, defense operations, and humanitarian relief activities. Whether during the Kargil War, flood relief missions, or defense assignments in foreign countries, he contributed with sincerity and courage. The recognition he received—commendations from the Air Force and his commanding officers—was not merely for technical skill but for the consistency and reliability he brought to every mission.
“Every strong tree begins with a quiet seed, nurtured in soil rich with values and watered by sacrifice.”
Phase 1: Roots of Discipline and Dreams
The story of Dr. Gokuldas K. J. begins on 1st July 1963, in Palakkad, Kerala, where life moved to the rhythm of tradition, discipline, and resilience. His childhood was not surrounded by wealth or privilege, but by something far more lasting—values. Born as the youngest child in the family, with two elder sisters to guide and protect him, his early years were deeply shaped by the love and sacrifices of his parents.
His father was a man of immense discipline and truth, a retired naval serviceman who later worked as a postmaster. Known in his community as a teetotaler and a man of integrity, he became an example of honesty and public service to young Gokuldas. His father often helped neighbors fill forms, guided them through government procedures, and ensured that the poor and uneducated were not left behind. For him, service was not a duty—it was an instinct.
His mother, on the other hand, brought gentleness and compassion into the home. A dedicated professional in the Health Department of Kerala, she balanced her work with nurturing her children. For her, every act—whether cooking, caring, or guiding—was done with love. She had endured her own struggles, but she never let them shadow her affection for her family. For young Gokuldas, she was not just a mother, but also a moral compass—her warmth teaching him that kindness and patience are as vital as discipline and strength.
Growing up in such a home, he experienced both strict discipline and unconditional love. His father’s firmness instilled in him a respect for order, responsibility, and honesty, while his mother’s gentle care taught him the beauty of compassion. This balance of values would later define the way he approached his professional and personal life.
“Discipline is not just about following orders—it is about discovering the strength within to rise above fear and serve with honor.”
Phase 2: Taking Flight – The Air Force Years Begin
The year 1983 was a turning point in the life of young Gokuldas K. J.. At the age of twenty, carrying with him the discipline of his father, the compassion of his mother, and the resilience learned through financial struggles, he stepped into the gates of the Indian Air Force. What had begun as a childhood dream, nurtured through years of NCC training and a burning desire to serve, had now become a reality. For him, the uniform was not merely clothing; it was a promise—to his family, to his nation, and to himself.
The first stage of his Air Force journey was filled with training and transformation. He was selected for Radio Fitter trade, which required a rigorous 52-week training course at the Communication Training Institute of the Air Force. For someone who had studied ITI Electrician, this was both an extension of his technical curiosity and a doorway into a whole new world of electronics and communication. The 1980s marked a time when technology was rapidly evolving, and the Air Force was embracing advanced communication systems, radar, and telecommunication equipment.
During training, he immersed himself in subjects that were new, challenging, and fascinating. Electronics was not just about circuits; it was about mastering the language of machines that carried messages, controlled aircraft, and ensured safety in missions. It was here that he earned his Diploma in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, a milestone that gave him immense pride. For the young man who once left his B.Sc. degree unfinished due to financial constraints, this achievement carried a sense of redemption. He had found his place in a world where his skills, discipline, and perseverance mattered more than privilege. His first postings after training tested his resolve and resilience. One of the most significant was at Gwalior, where he began to experience the responsibilities of a communication specialist. From maintaining critical systems to ensuring uninterrupted connections during missions, the role demanded precision and reliability. Every small task was a matter of national security, and he carried it out with the dedication instilled in him since childhood.
“Life’s true journey begins not when one duty ends, but when the heart discovers new ways to serve.”
Phase 3: Beyond the Uniform – A New Chapter of Service
In 2003, after two decades of committed service, Warrant Officer Gokuldas K. J. bid farewell to the Indian Air Force. For a man who had worn the uniform with pride, served on glaciers, flown as a Flight Signaller on IL-76 aircraft, and contributed to wars, rescue missions, and international assignments, the moment of stepping out was deeply emotional. The Air Force had not just been his profession—it had been his identity, his home, and his dream fulfilled. Yet, as he saluted the tricolour one last time in uniform, he knew this was not the end. It was the beginning of another chapter.
Retirement from defense service often brings mixed emotions: a sense of accomplishment, but also an emptiness that comes from leaving behind the rigor, the structure, and the brotherhood. For Gokuldas, this transition was not easy. He had lived twenty years with a clear sense of direction—missions, duties, and orders that shaped every day. Now, life presented a blank canvas. But his resilience, honed through years of challenges, guided him toward new opportunities.
Soon after leaving the Air Force, he was drawn to explore civilian roles that would allow him to apply his technical expertise. In 2008, he joined AFPO (Akker Floating Production Operations) as a Production Supervisor. For twelve years, from 2008 to 2020, he worked in this role, adapting his defense-honed skills of discipline, leadership, and technical precision to a corporate environment. His colleagues quickly recognized his reliability and integrity. He was not just a supervisor; he was a mentor, someone who brought the same dedication to his civilian role that he once brought to the cockpit of an Air Force aircraft. In these years, his sense of responsibility shone brightly. He was recognized as Employee of the Year, an award that affirmed his ability to excel beyond the defense environment. Unlike the Air Force, where discipline was an unquestionable rule, in a civilian setting it often had to be cultivated and encouraged. Here, his leadership became softer but no less firm—leading by example, encouraging teamwork, and solving problems with patience and wisdom.
Note of Thanks
As this biography of Dr. Gokuldas K. J. comes to a close, it is filled not just with stories of service, discipline, and resilience, but with the spirit of gratitude that has always guided his journey. A life such as his is never built alone; it is shaped by countless hands, hearts, and blessings along the way.
First and foremost, gratitude flows to his parents, whose honesty, discipline, compassion, and sacrifices laid the foundation of his life. His father’s truthfulness and spirit of social service, and his mother’s unconditional love, became guiding lights that shaped his character and values. Their teachings remain alive in every decision he has taken and every lesson he has shared.
To his wife, Hema, he owes immeasurable thanks. Her unwavering support, sacrifices, and strength have been his greatest anchors through the challenges of military service, offshore duties, and health struggles. She quietly carried responsibilities, gave up her own professional pursuits, and became the pillar upon which their family stood strong.
To his son, Jijesh, and daughter-in-law, Drithi, gratitude extends with pride and joy. Jijesh’s achievements and dedication reflect the values passed down to him, and his wife’s choice of nursing as a profession continues the family’s legacy of service. Their journey together is both a continuation and expansion of the values he holds dear.
A special note of thanks belongs to his Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, whose guidance transformed his outlook on life. Through his teachings, Dr. Gokuldas found peace, resilience, and the philosophy of living in the present. The Art of Living Foundation became not only a platform for service but also a family of support, friendship, and shared purpose.
He is equally thankful to his colleagues in the Indian Air Force, the oil and gas industry, and AFPO, who stood beside him in demanding environments and recognized his dedication. The trust of his commanders, the camaraderie of his peers, and the respect of his teams were honors that shaped his career and character.
Gratitude also belongs to his students, community members, and fellow teachers in the Art of Living Foundation, who not only learned from him but also inspired him. Each smile, each story of transformation, and each bond formed in prisons, classrooms, or meditation halls became fuel for his mission of service.
Finally, he acknowledges with warmth the friends, well-wishers, and extended family who have supported him along the way. Their encouragement, prayers, and companionship have been blessings as valuable as any award.
This biography is not only the story of one man’s journey; it is the collective reflection of all those who walked with him. To each of them, Dr. Gokuldas offers heartfelt thanks. His life has been meaningful not because of his own strength alone but because of the love, guidance, and support that surrounded him.
May this note of thanks serve as a reminder that every achievement is shared, every milestone is collective, and every story of resilience is woven together by many lives.
Thanks
Dr. Gokuldas K. J.