President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday approved 80 gallantry awards, which include six Kirti Chakra and 16 Shaurya Chakra, marking the eve of the 75th Republic Day. Out of the six Kirti Chakra awardees, three received the honour posthumously, while of the 16 Shaurya Chakra recipients, two were posthumous.
The Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashok Chakra, and the Shaurya Chakra, the third-highest peacetime gallantry award, were conferred to deserving individuals.
The Kirti Chakra awardees include Major Digvijay Singh Rawat of the 21st Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Deependra Vikram Basnet from the Sikh Regiment's fourth battalion, and Havildar Pawan Kumar Yadav from the 21st battalion of the Mahar Regiment, as stated by the defence ministry in a press release.
Posthumously awarded were Captain Anshuman Singh from the 26th battalion of the Punjab Regiment (Army Medical Corps), Havildar Abdul Majid of the Parachute Regiment's ninth battalion (special forces), and Sepoy Pawan Kumar from the 55th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, according to the ministry.
As per the official statement, the Shaurya Chakra recipients include Major Maneo Francis of the Parachute Regiment's 21st battalion, Major Amandeep Jakhar from the Sikh Regiment's fourth battalion, Naib Subedar Baria Sanjay Kumar Bhamar Singh of the Mahar Regiment, Havildar Sanjay Kumar from 9 Assam Rifles, and Parshotam Kumar (civilian) from the Rashtriya Rifles.
Among the Shaurya Chakra awardees are also Indian Navy's Lieutenant Bimal Ranjan Behera and Indian Air Force's Wing Commander Shailesh Singh (pilot), Flight Lieutenant Hrishikesh Jayan Karuthedath (pilot), and CRPF's Assistant Commandant Bibhor Kumar Singh.
Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel Mohan Lal, Amit Raina, Faroz Ahmad Dar, and Varun Singh have also been honoured with the Shaurya Chakra, some posthumously.
In addition to the gallantry awards, the President approved 53 Sena Medals (seven posthumous), one Nao Sena Medal (gallantry), and four Vayu Sena Medals (gallantry).
The broader list of decorations includes 31 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 59 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, and 10 Yudh Seva Medals. It also encompasses eight Bar to Sena Medals (devotion to duty), 38 Sena Medals (devotion to duty), 10 Nao Sena Medals, 14 Vayu Sena Medals, five Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals, and 130 Vishisht Seva Medals.