New Delhi, May 5, (Bureau) Navy Chief Adm R Hari Kumar on behalf of President on Wednesday presented Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to the father of navy sailor Ramavtar Godara who had sacrificed his life while attempting to rescue an unknown individual drowning in a water reservoir in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. On August 10, 2020, Ramavtar Godara was returning from leave and travelling in a bus from his village Nojala Ki Dhani to Ladnun in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. He heard the commotion and rushed to rescue a drowning person. He died while attempting to rescue the person at the reservoir. Godara’s father received the medal in the Naval Investiture Ceremony- 2022 held to felicitate Naval personnel who have demonstrated gallant acts, leadership, professional achievements and distinguished service of high order. The Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards are given to a person for meritorious act of human nature in saving the life of a person.
The award is given in three categories, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak. Navy Chief conferred the Gallantry and Distinguished Service awards to the recipients during the investiture ceremony. During the ceremony, a total of 31 medals including six Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), eight Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 17 Vishisht Seva Medal were presented to the awardees, Indian Navy said. The Chief of the Naval Staff also gave away the Lt VK Jain Memorial Gold Medal for pioneering research in the field of weapon improvement and Electrical Engineering and Capt Ravi Dhir Memorial Gold Medal for promoting Flight Safety during the event, the Indian Navy said. The CNS Trophy for Best Green Practice 2021 was awarded to INS Eksila and INS Hamla in the Industrial and non-industrial categories respectively. The Unit Citations for operational units category were awarded to Indian Naval Ships Tarkash, Nireekshak, Khanderi and Astradharini.