President Droupadi Murmu. (File photo)
New Delhi: On the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, the president, Droupadi Murmu, has approved gallantry awards to personnel from the Indian armed forces – Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, central armed police forces (CAPFs), state police forces, and other assorted services. These awards recognize acts of exceptional bravery and service in various operations across the country.
Among the armed forces and CAPFs, the prestigious list includes four Kirti Chakras, three of which are posthumous, and 18 Shaurya Chakras, with four awarded posthumously. Additionally, the president has approved one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry) including two posthumous, 11 Nau Sena Medals (Gallantry), and six Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Among the notable recipients is Colonel Manpreet Singh, who was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery in a counterterrorism operation in Jammu & Kashmir’s Anantnag last year. The awards also include 39 Mentions in Despatches, recognizing significant contributions in various military operations, such as Operation Hifazat, Operation Katchal, Operation Orchid, Operation Rakshak, Operation Sahayata, and Operation Snow Leopard.
An Army dog named Kent was also posthumously honoured with a Mention in Despatches for his role in a military operation. This recognition highlights the invaluable contributions of service animals in ensuring the safety and success of military missions.
Five Shaurya Chakras were awarded to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel for displaying exemplary courage in the face of adversity during operations. Two of them have been awarded posthumously to Pawan Kumar, constable general duty, and Devan C, constable general duty. The other three CRPF personnel to receive the Shaurya Chakra are Lakhveer, deputy commandant; Rajesh Panchal, assistant commandant; and Malkit Singh, constable general duty.
Full list of names of awardees here
Four Indian Coast Guard personnel receive Tatrakshak Medals
Apart from the armed forces and the CAPFs, Murmu has approved one President’s Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service); one Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry), and two Tatrakshak Medals (Meritorious Service) to the Indian Coast Guard personnel, recognizing the recipients’ exceptional bravery, devotion to duty, and meritorious service.
Donny Michael, inspector general, received the Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service) while Aaqil Pathan, deputy commandant, was awarded the Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry).
Balakrishnan Murugan, deputy inspector general, and Girish Kumar Verma, pradhan adhikari (radio operator), were awarded with Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service).
Gallantry, service medals to 1,037 police and assorted services
A total of 1,037 personnel from the state police forces, fire, home guards and civil defence (HG&CD), and correctional services have been awarded gallantry and service medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2024. Among the 213 gallantry and service medals awarded, 208 have been given to police personnel. This includes 31 personnel from the Jammu & Kashmir Police, 17 each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 15 from Chhattisgarh, 12 from Madhya Pradesh, 7 each from Jharkhand, Punjab, and Telangana, 52 from CRPF, 14 from SSB, 10 from CISF, 6 from BSF, with the remaining from other states, union territories, and CAPFs.
Additionally, three gallantry medals and one gallantry medal have been awarded to personnel from Delhi and Jharkhand fire services respectively, and one gallantry medal has been awarded to an Uttar Pradesh Home Guard and Civil Defence.
President’s Medal for Gallantry (PMG) and Medal for Gallantry (GM) are awarded on the ground of “rare conspicuous act of gallantry” and “conspicuous act of gallantry” respectively in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals, the risk incurred being estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.
Medals for distinguished and meritorious service
Out of these 94 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM), 75 have been awarded to police service, eight to fire services, eight HG&CD services and three to correctional services. Out of 729 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM), 624 have been awarded to police services, 47 to fire service, 47 to HG&CD services and 11 to correctional services.
The PSM is awarded for a particularly distinguished record in service, whereas the MSM is awarded for valuable service characterized by resourcefulness and devotion to duty.
Full list of names of awardees here
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