- President Droupadi Murmu approves 127 Gallantry awards for Armed Forces
- Murmu expresses confidence in India’s self-reliant journey, urges citizens to go local
- President approves Tatrakshak Medal to 5 Indian Coast Guard personnel
- Let us pledge to realise Gandhiji’s ideal and weed out corruption: President
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, AUG 14
President Droupadi Murmu said the nation witnessed “terrible violence” during India-Pakistan partition and paid tributes to the victims of the horror.
Addressing the nation on the eve of Independence Day, President Murmu said, “Today we observed Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas. Terrible violence was witnessed, and millions were forced to relocate due to partition. Today, we pay tributes to the victims of the follies of history.”
The president lauded Operation Sindoor and called the Pahalgam terror attack “utterly inhuman.” Murmu said India responded to the attack with steely resolve. “Operation Sindoor showed that our armed forces are prepared to meet any eventuality when it comes to guarding the nation. With strategic clarity and technical capability, they destroyed terrorist hubs across the border. I believe, Operation Sindoor will go down in history as an example in humanity’s fight against terrorism,” she said.
The president said India’s unity in the aftermath of the attack was a befitting response to those who wanted to divide us. “Our unity was on display also in the multi-party delegations of the Members of Parliament that reached out to various nations to explain India’s position. The world has taken note of India’s stance, that we will not be the aggressor, but we will not hesitate to retaliate in defence of our citizens.”
President Murmu added that Operation Sindoor was also a test case of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. “Our indigenous manufacturing has achieved the critical level that makes us self-sufficient in meeting many of our security requirements,” she said.
On India’s economy, President Murmu said, “India is well on the way to becoming a self-reliant nation and is moving ahead with great confidence.” She added, “Even amid stress in the global economy, demand at home is pacing ahead. Inflation has remained under control. Exports are rising. All key indicators show the economy in the pink of health.”
Our daughters are our pride: President
Speaking on women empowerment, the President said “Our daughters are our pride. They are breaching barriers in every field, including in the areas of defence and security. Sports are among important indicators of excellence, empowerment and potential. A nineteen-year-old girl and a thirty-eight-year-old woman from India were the finalists in the FIDE Women’s World Cup for chess championship. This underlines the sustained and globally comparable excellence across generations among our women. The gender gap in employment has also been reducing. With ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, the empowerment of women is no longer a slogan but a reality.”
She further added that, “People belonging to a major segment of our society comprising Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and other communities are shedding the tag of the marginalised. The Government has been actively helping them to realise their social and economic aspirations with several initiatives.
India is moving ahead at a faster pace towards realizing its true potential. As our reforms and policies have created an effective platform, I can see a bright future ahead in which every one of us will be energetically contributing to the prosperity and happiness of all of us.”
Zero tolerance for corruption
Speaking on good governance, the President sai, “We are moving ahead towards that future with sustained good governance, and zero tolerance for corruption. Here I am reminded of an important statement by Mahatma Gandhi. He had noted, and I quote:
“Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy.”
Let us pledge to realise Gandhiji’s ideal and weed out corruption.
President approves 127 Gallantry awards for Armed Forces
President Droupadi Murmu has approved 127 Gallantry Awards, 40 Distinguished Service Awards, and 290 Mentions-in-Despatches to honour the valour and dedication of Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day.
Among the Gallantry Awards approved are 4 Kirti Chakra, 15 Vir Chakra, 16 Shaurya Chakra, 2 Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 6 Nao Sena Medal, 26 Vayu Sena Medal, 7 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, 9 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, and 24 Yudh Seva Medal.
The list includes officers and soldiers who operated the S-400 and other air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, successfully thwarting planned attacks by Pakistan on Indian soil.
Additionally, 290 personnel were mentioned in dispatches, including 115 from the Indian Army, 5 from the Indian Navy, 167 from the Indian Air Force, and 3 from the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB).
Indian Air Force officers have been awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for their outstanding role in Operation Sindoor. Among the recipients are Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Narnadeshwar Tiwari, DG Air Operations Air Marshal Awadhesh Bharti, and Western Air Commander Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra.
On Independence Day, former Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral S.J. Singh is to be honoured with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for Operation Sindoor, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, and Vice Admiral and DGNO A.N. Pramod with the Yudh Seva Medal.
Notable awardees also include Captain Lalrinawma Sailo (4 Para, Special Forces), Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari (Army Service Corps, 1 Sikkim Scouts), and Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu (Air Force).
Awards recognise acts of exceptional courage, gallantry in operations, and distinguished service across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces. President Murmu has also approved Tatrakshak Medals for five Indian Coast Guard personnel.
These honours celebrate conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty, and meritorious service, reinforcing India’s commitment to recognising the bravery and selfless service of those who protect its sovereignty and citizens.
President approves Tatrakshak Medal to 5 ICG personnel
President Droupadi Murmu has approved Tatrakshak Medals to five Indian Coast Guard personnel on the eve of Independence Day 2025. The medals are in recognition of their acts of conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty, and meritorious service.
Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry)
Comdt Srinivas Gadam, Comdt (JG) Ankit Sharma and Comdt (JG) Rajkamal Attri
Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service)
Inspector General Anupam Rai and Deputy Inspector General Bibhuti Ranjan
