GALLANTRY AWARDS 2024

Source: HindustanTimes

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Context

• On the eve of the 78th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved 103 gallantry awards for personnel of the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces, with the honours including four Kirti Chakras and 18 Shaurya Chakras, India’s second and third highest peacetime awards for uncommon courage and grit.

Details

• Gallantry Awards in India are an integral part of the nation's defense and honor system, recognizing the bravery, valor, and sacrifice of military personnel and civilians.
• These awards are conferred to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage, often at great personal risk.
• The system of Gallantry Awards in India is well-structured and consists of two main categories: awards for bravery in the face of the enemy and awards for bravery in other circumstances.

Categories of Gallantry Awards

Gallantry Awards in the Face of the Enemy

These awards are the highest honors in India, awarded for acts of extraordinary bravery during wartime.

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
  • • Established:1950
    • Criteria:Awarded for the highest degree of valor or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
    • Design:It features a bronze medallion with four replicas of Indra's Vajra, and the State Emblem in the center.
    • Significance:It is the highest military decoration in India.
    • Notable Recipients:Major Somnath Sharma, Captain Vikram Batra, and others.
• Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)
  • • Established:1950
    • Criteria:Awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
    • Design:The MVC is a circular silver medal featuring a five-pointed star with the State Emblem at the center.
    • Notable Recipients:Brigadier Mohammad Usman, Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa, and others.
• Vir Chakra
  • • Established:1950
    • Criteria:Awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
    • Design:The Vir Chakra is a circular bronze medal featuring a star, with a domed centerpiece bearing the State Emblem.
    • Notable Recipients:Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, and others.

Gallantry Awards Not in the Face of the Enemy

These awards are conferred for acts of bravery outside the battlefield or during peacetime.

• Ashoka Chakra
  • • Established:1952 (originally known as the Ashoka Chakra Class I)
    • Criteria:Awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
    • Design:The medal is circular with a depiction of the Ashoka Chakra, surrounded by a lotus wreath.
    • Significance:It is the highest peacetime military decoration in India.
    • Notable Recipients:Havildar Hangpan Dada, Assistant Sub-Inspector Babu Ram, and others.
• Kirti Chakra
  • • Established:1952 (originally known as the Ashoka Chakra Class II)
    • Criteria:Awarded for conspicuous gallantry away from the battlefield.
    • Design:Similar to the Ashoka Chakra, featuring a replica of the Ashoka Chakra at the center.
    • Notable Recipients:Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, Captain Ummed Singh Mahra, and others.
• Shaurya Chakra
  • • Established:1952 (originally known as the Ashoka Chakra Class III)
    • Criteria:Awarded for acts of gallantry away from the battlefield.
    • Design:It features a bronze medallion with a replica of the Ashoka Chakra, surrounded by a lotus wreath.
    • Notable Recipients:Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Wing Commander Anjan Kumar, and others.

Evolution and Historical Context

• Gallantry Awards in India were instituted after independence to replace the colonial system of honors.
• The awards were introduced by the Government of India on January 26, 1950.
• Initially, only military personnel were eligible, but over time, civilians and personnel from other forces (e.g., police) have also been recognized.

Process of Awarding Gallantry Medals

• Announcement:Gallantry awards are typically announced twice a year, on Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15).
• Selection:A stringent selection process involves recommendations from unit commanders, scrutiny by the Ministry of Defence, and approval by the President of India.
• Ceremony:The President of India presents the awards during ceremonies at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Additional Gallantry Awards

In addition to the main gallantry awards, India also recognizes bravery through various other honors:

• Sena Medal (Army), Nao Sena Medal (Navy), and Vayu Sena Medal (Air Force):These are awarded for acts of exceptional courage or devotion to duty in the Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively.
• President's Police Medal for Gallantry:Awarded to police officers for exceptional bravery.
• Jeevan Raksha Padak:A civilian award given for saving lives.

Financial and Social Benefits

• Pension:Awardees receive a lifelong pension, along with additional financial rewards.
• Privileges:They are entitled to various benefits, including reservation in government jobs, free education for children, and concessions in travel.

Important Awards in India

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Gallantry Awards

Sources:

HindustanTimes