- President Murmu approves 412 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces personnel
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JAN 26
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday awarded 412 Gallantry awards, including six Kirti Chakras and 15 Shaurya Chakras for Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 74th Republic Day.
The Kirti Chakra is India’s second highest peacetime gallantry award after Ashok Chakra. The Shaurya Chakra is the country’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award.
The government also announced one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), seven Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 92 Sena Medals, including four posthumous, one posthumous Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), seven Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, three Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, one Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 52 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 10 Yudh Seva Medalsand four Bar to Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty).
The Defence ministry further announced 36 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), two posthumous Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 11 Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), including three posthumous, 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), two Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 126 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Jharkhand rescue operation hero bags Shaurya Chakra
Group Captain Yogeshwar K Kandalkar, a distinguished helicopter pilot who led the Indian Air Force in Jharkhand rescue mission was honoured with Shaurya Chakra.
On the occasion of the 74th Republic Day, the President has awarded Presidential Award “SHAURYA CHAKRA” to Group Captain Yogeshwar K Kandalkar for his exceptional courage and leadership shown in rescue operation for saving 35 invaluable lives stuck with Trikut Hills ropeway at Deoghar, Jharkhand.
48 pilgrims were stranded in the Trikut rope way on evening of 10 April 2022. When all other efforts failed the IAF was called in. Gp Capt Kandalkar led the mission and successfully rescued 35 of them by winching them up in the Mi17 V5 helicopter.
This was one of the most daring rescues undertaken by helicopter.
Gp Capt Kandalkar is a son of the soil, born and brought up in Nashik. He studied at the GES HAL high school in Ojhar township Nashik and further from Services Preparatory Institute Aurangabad.
He is a distinguished helicopter pilot and a qualified Flying Instructor.
He is alumni of the prestigious National Defence Academy.
OTHER SHAURYA CHAKRA AWARDEES
Major Aditya Bhadauria, Kumaon Regiment, Indian Army
Captain Arun Kumar, Kumaun Regiment, Indian Army
Captain Yudhvir Singh, mechanised infantry, Indian Army
Captain Rakesh TR, Parachute Regiment, Indian Army
Naik Jasbir Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Indian Army (Posthumous)
Naik Vikas Choudhary, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, (Posthumous)
Constable Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh, Jammu and Kashmir Police
Group Captain Yogeshwar Krishnarao Kandalkar, Air Force
Flight Lieutenant Tejpal, Air Force
Squadron leader Sandeep Kumar Jhajhria, Air Force
Corporal Anand Singh, Air Force
Leading aircraftman Sunil Kumar, Air Force
Assistant Commandant Satendra Singh
Deputy Commandant Vikki Kumar Pandey
Constable Vijay Oraon
VAYU SENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY) AWARDEES
Wing Commander Sumedh Ashok Jamkar
Wing Commander Sumedh Ashok Jamkar, Flight Commander of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, for immediate search and rescue operation of a missing seven-member mountaineering team on expedition to Kilar (Himachal Pradesh) from Harsil via Lamkhaga Pass in Uttarakhand in October 2022.
Wg Cdr Jamkar undertook three successive missions bringing exemplary courage to the fore by landing at three other treacherous locations, between 15600 to 16900 feet rescuing three survivors and retrieving four mortal remains.
For the act of exceptional gallantry and courage, Wg Cdr Sumedh Ashok Jamkar is awarded with ‘Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)’.
Squadron leader Krishna Kumar Singh
Squadron leader Krishna Kumar Singh, Air Force’s tireless efforts resulted in saving 11 precious lives in the Trikut rope way mishap.
The other Vayu Sena Medal Awardees are
Junior Warrant officer Srikanth Bonam, Air Force
Sergeant Pankaj Kumar Rana, Air Force
Corporal Satendra Kumar, Air Force
Corporal Anthony Mang Kham, Air Force
Leading Aircraftsman Ravinder Singh, Air Force
