President Droupadi Murmu conferred Gallantry Awards to the personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State and Union Territory Police during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan this evening. Vice President C P Radhaskrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with other Union Ministers and senior officials of the armed forces, were also present on the occasion. 

 

The President conferred seven Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras and 29 Shaurya Chakras to the personnel of the Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State and Union Territory Police during the Ceremony. Inspector Laxman Kewat and Inspector Rameswar Prasad Deshmukh of Chhattisgarh Police were honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for their exceptional courage during anti-naxal operations in the state.

 

Major Aditya Pratap Singh was given Shaurya Chakra for exceptional bravery in foiling a major attack by insurgents in Arunachal Pradesh. Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A was awarded Kirti Chakra for his indomitable spirit and exceptional bravery, wherein, despite being severely injured, he neutralised one hardcore terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

One of the four Gaganyatris chosen for India’s maiden Human Space Flight Mission Gaganyaan, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was awarded Kirti Chakra for his indomitable spirit and bravery. Sub Inspector Md Imteyaj along with Constable Deepak Chingakham of BSF, who laid down their lives in the line of duty at the International Border in Jammu, were awarded Vir Chakra posthumously.