President of India Approves 359 Republic Day Gallantry & Other Defence Decorations On 64th Republic Day

The President has approved awards of 359 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 64TH    Republic Day Celebrations.  This includes 01 Kirti Chakra, 11 Shaurya Chakra, 56 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 01 Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 03 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 06 Bar to Ati Vishisht  Seva Medal, 44 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal,  12 Yudh Seva Medal, 02 Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 01 Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 07 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 04 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 116 Vishisht Seva Medal.

In addition a total of ten Mention-In-Despatches have also been announced for participating in Operation Rakshak and Operation Rhino.

The full list of the recipients of gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others is as follows:

SL. NO.
   
RANK & NAME
   
SERVICE

KIRTI CHAKRA

1.IC-67270F MAJOR Anup Joseph Manjali BIHAR ReGIMENT / 24TH BATTAlION THE Rashtriya Rifles
    

 ARMY

SHAURYA CHAKRA

1.IC-65554M MAJOR SANDEEP KUMAR 13TH BATTALION THE SIKH REGIMENT

ARMY

2.IC-65672A MAJOR MANISH PUNJ THE RAJPUT REGIMENT / 10TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES

3. IC-68806Y CAPTAIN A RAHUL RAMESH CORPS OF ENGINEERS / 72ND ROAD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (POSTHUMOUS)

4.IC-72070P CAPTAIN Dinesh Kumar 9TH BATTALION THE MADRAS REGIMENT

5. IC-74882F Lieutenant Manish Singh 9th Battalion THE Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)


Indian Navy

SHAURYA CHAKRA

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER INDERJEET SINGH (05871-T)
On 11 Sep 2012, Lt Cdr Inderjeet Singh as the team leader of the HQWNC Emergency Fire Response Team boarded MV Amsterdam Bridge to combat a major fire onboard. A powerful explosion below the deck resulted in a spontaneous major fire with poisonous gases within compartment. Since, the container was containing highly inflammable liquid, which posed a great threat to maritime catastrophe. Despite being unaware of the Merchant ship layout in addition to a smoke filled compartment he courageously conducted his team below deck up to 200 feet in complete darkness. Despite hazardous condition of possible explosion he located the seat of fire and with the available limited fire fighting equipments he led his team to extinguish the fire.

The daring act performed by the officer was beyond the call of duty and not one that was performed in the normal course of work. The gallantry and leadership displayed by the officer at great personal risk and in the face of overwhelming odds are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Navy. Therefore, Lieutenant Commander Inderjeet Singh (05871-T) is awarded "Shaurya Chakra" for displaying exceptional courage and initiative in the face of great danger.

 NAUSENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY)

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DHIRENDER BISHT (05858-N)

On 31 May 2012, 312(Vizag) flight was tasked to embark INS Satpura for casualty evacuation from INS Sindhuvir which was located approx 700 nm from Vishakhapatanam. The ship could reach the position by morning 01 Jun 12 and the weather was overwhelmed with strong south westerly wind and sea was choppy with swell of 1-1.5 mts. causing the ship/submarine to roll and pitch heavily and further it was impossible to evacuate the casualty through standard VERTREP.

Seeing the degrading condition of the casualty it was decided to evacuate from the conning tower of the submarine. Despite marginal weather condition and heavy seas Lt Cdr Dhirender Bisht, the first pilot took a brave and considered decision to go ahead with the CASEVAC. He exhibited excellent flying skills in carrying out a safe take off from the heaving condition, necessitated evacuation of casualty from conning tower. The prevailing sea condition made the task exceedingly difficult. With little or no visual cues the crew not only evacuated the casualty but also safe recovery on deck thereafter the casualty was successfully operated upon onboard. Have there been any delay it would have resulted in a fatality. 

The officer displayed dauntless courage, exceptional flying skills/ability and commitment to purpose in executing a daring CASEVAC in adverse conditions resulting in rendering critical medical assistance well in time. This is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Navy. Therefore, Lt Cdr Dhirender Bisht has been awarded "Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)" for displaying exceptional courage and initiative in the face of danger.


NAUSENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY)

LIEUTENANT HARISANKER (06133-N)

On 20 Aug 2012, while escorting a group of merchant ships through the internationally recommended transit corridor, an Indian registered Merchant Vessel Vishwa Viksa with was in the escort group requested INS Betwa for immediate medical assistance as one of its crew was experiencing excruciating pain in the abdomen and required immediate medical assistance.

The medical aid could only be provided to the patient only if a helicopter could land on the deck of the merchant vessel along with the ship’s medical officer. Since, it was a very adverse weather with lots of rolling and pitching. Further, the merchant vessel’s unfamiliar deck added more difficulty. In spite of all odd, Lt Harisanker being the first pilot took the challenge to undertake the mission, within 20 min he promptly got airborne. The landing spot was a cargo hatch top, in between two high cranes, inclement weather further endangered the approach. Sea conditions, deck movements and strong unfavourable wind made the task very extremely challenging. Despite all the Lt Hrisanker remained undeterred and displayed exceptional professional skill and great fortitude to safely land the aircraft on a hatch between two cranes of the merchant ship, not once but twice. First to transfer the ship’s medical officer and later to evacuate the patient after he was examined by the medical officer. The patient was diagnosed with acute appendicitis by the ship’s medical office which mandated an early surgical procedure in a hospital ashore at Salalah next day when INS Betwa reached.

The prompt action by the officer facilitated evacuation of the patient to INS Betwa followed by disembarkation at Salalah  for immediate operation of acute appendicitis which therby saved the life of the Indian national at sea.

 The action of Lt Harisanker in handling this urgent and critical medical evacuation as First pilot, Captain of the aircraft and Detachment commander were one of gallantry and valour. In recognition of his act of exceptional courage, leadership, shift action with professional skill and competence in undertaking a successful rescue in face of adverse conditions Lt Harisanker (06133-N) has been awarded "Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)" for displaying exceptional courage and initiative in the face of danger.

NAUSENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY)

MUKESH KUMAR CHEME (177091-F)

 On 01 Jun 2012, at about 1745 hrs on ship’s return passage post successful CASEVAC of patient ex Indian Naval submarine, a fire was reported in the ship’s forward DA compartment. Mukesh Kumar CHME was the first sailor who rushed to the compartment to undertake first aid fire fighting measure. Despite the presence of considerable smoke and heat, the sailor battled the fire with portable fire fighting equipments.

Despite withstanding intense heat, heavy smoke and no protective gear, he came out and donned a BAASCA set and re-entered the compartment to fight the fire. By this time the compartment was fully engulfed with smoke and caused zero visibility. Since, the sailor belongs to the engine department he had a fair idea of the seat of fire and his ability to move in the compartment without sight encouraged him to re-enter the compartment with fresh BA set and climbed on top of the G1 DA enclosure and fight the fire using firemain. Finally he decided to operate the CO2 fire fighting system and brought the fire under control. Mukesh Kumar CHME displayed extremely rare personal and physical courage by volunteering to enter the compartment repeatedly without care for personal safety.
The courage displayed by the sailor will always serve as an inspiration to the present and future crews. For his gallant act under face of personal danger, with only the safety of the ship as his guiding factor along with exceptional courage, action with professional skill and competence Mukesh Kumar (177091-F) has been awarded "Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)" for displaying exceptional courage and initiative in the face of danger.


NAUSENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY)

COMMANDER SRIVATSA SESHADRI, NM (03717-Y)
On 14 Aug 2012, at about 1700 hrs HQWNC had directed INS Virrat to provide medical assistance to a patient on board German Naval Ship FRG Bremen. The officer being the First Pilot took off Seaking helicopter (SK 532) and landed on board German Naval Ship at about 1900 hrs with marginal condition of flying and having no experience of landing on that deck. The patient was evacuated and the chopper took off from the German ship, after 5 minute of return flying the main Transmission Oil pressure of the main Gear dropped to zero and emergency lubrication system becomes operative.

The pilot maintained his composure, reassured his crew, displayed a high level of professionalism and skill in handling the multiple emergencies of erratic stabilization and transmission oil pressure failure, in pitch dark night conditions, with marginal weather conditions he executed a safe landing on board INS Virrat.

In recognition of his act of exceptional courage, leadership, shift action with professional skill and competence in undertaking a successful rescue in face of adverse conditions Cdr Srivatsa Seshdri, NM (03717-Y) has been awarded "Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)" in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.