New Delhi, Jan 26 (FN Bureau) President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 384 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to armed force personnel and others on the eve of 73rd Republic Day. “These include 12 Shaurya Chakras, 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 04 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Yudh Seva Medals, 03 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals, 122 Vishisht Seva Medals, 03 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 81 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 02 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 40 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 08 Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), and 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty),” the Defence Ministry said in a statement. Among the 12 Shaurya Chakras, Indian Army and CRPF bagged six Shaurya Chakras each. Shaurya Chakra is the third highest peacetime gallantry award in the country in recognition to distinguished service. The year 2021 was quite challenging for the Indian Army on the operational front as China is posing significant threat in Eastern Ladakh along the LAC. Defence Ministry has awarded many top officers who have been leading the troops along the LAC.
The GoC, Northern Command Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi and the Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Pande have received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM). Besides this, Subedar Neeraj Chopra, the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics and who serves in the Indian Army’s 4 Rajputana Rifles, has been awarded the PVSM for his distinguished service. Lt Gen P Gopalkrishna Menon, who was Commander of the Leh based Fire & Fury Corps has been awarded with Uttam Yudh Sewa Medal (UYSM). Lt Gen Ravin Khosla, who is the Commander of the Tezpur based 4 Corps, instrumental for Tawang region, has also been awarded with UYSM. The Dimapur based 3 Corps Commander Lt Gen Johnson P Matthew is also on the list of UYSM awardees.
The 3 Corps is tasked to some sensitive areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Since the relentless anti terror operations in Jammu & Kashmir have resulted in some key successes for the security forces in past couple of years, Srinagar based 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey has also got a UYSM. Besides, 14 Indian Army personnel have been awarded with ‘Mention-in-Despatches’ for Operation Snow Leopard- which was launched when the PLA failed to move back and restore the status quo in Eastern Ladakh despite repeated Indian requests. In the secretly launched operation, India occupied some key heights along the ridges leaving China stunned in Eastern Laddakh. ‘Mention-in-Despatches’ is awarded for gallant or meritorious action. 15 Army personnel have received ‘Mention-in-Despatches’ for Operation Rakshak, an ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operation.