Republic Day: Gallantry Awards To Be Conferred On 70 Armed Forces Personnel, Including 6 Posthumous

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel in recognition of their exceptional courage, leadership and sacrifice, on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. The

list also includes six posthumous honours.

According to an official statement, the awards include one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, and 13 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous.

The President has also approved one Bar to the Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous awards, six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be conferred the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award. He created history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.

The Kirti Chakra will be awarded to Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba for their exemplary bravery and distinguished service. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth will be honoured with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal for his exceptional leadership and service to the nation.

The Shaurya Chakra awardees include Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar of 21 Para (Special Forces), Major Anshul Baltoo of 32 Assam Rifles, Major Shivkant Yadav of 5 Para (Special Forces), Major Vivek of 42 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh of 11 Para (Special Forces), Captain Yogender Singh Thakur of 6 Para (Special Forces), Subedar P H Moses of 1 Assam Rifles, Lance Dafadar Baldev Chand of 4 Rashtriya Rifles, Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei of 3 Assam Rifles, Rifleman Dhurba Jyoti Dutta of 33 Assam Rifles, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A of the Indian Navy, and Assistant Commandant Vipin Wilson.

In addition, the President approved 301 military decorations for Armed Forces and other personnel. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Bars to the Sena Medal, 43 Distinguished Sena Medals, eight Distinguished Nao Sena Medals, 14 Distinguished Vayu Sena Medals, and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.

President Murmu also approved 98 Mentioned-in-Despatches, including five posthumous, for Armed Forces personnel. These cover operations such as Operation Rakshak, Snow Leopard, Hifazat, Meghdoot, Rhino, and several rescue and casualty evacuation missions across the Army, Navy and Border Roads Development Board.

The awards will be formally conferred during Republic Day celebrations on Monday.

(With inputs from ANI)