Independence Day: President Droupadi Murmu pays homage to bravehearts at National War memorial
The president was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan, Chief of Air Staff Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, with all five of them marching to the memorial while being drenched in heavy rain. The wreath was also carried by two women Air Force officers.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth were also present at the memorial.
Earlier on August 14, President Murmu approved 127 Gallantry awards and 40 Distinguished Service awards to the armed forces and central armed police forces personnel on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.
'These are: 04 Kirti Chakras; 15 Vir Chakras; 16 Shaurya Chakras; 02 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry); 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry); 06 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry); 07 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals; 09 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Yudh Seva Medals,' an official release said.
'The President has also approved 290 Mention-in-Despatches - 115 personnel of the Indian Army, 05 of the Indian Navy, 167 of the Indian Air Force and 03 of the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB),' it added.
Meanwhile, Vir Chakra has been awarded to nine Indian Air Force officers for their brave contributions in the service of the nation during Operation Sindoor.
The Vir Chakra has been awarded to nine Indian Air Force officers, including fighter pilots, who targeted terrorist groups' headquarters in Pakistan's Muridke and Bahawalpur and the neighbouring country's military assets.
Group Captains (GP) Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, Manish Arora, Animesh Patni, Kunal Kalra, Wing commanders (WG CDR) Joy Chandra, Squadron Leaders (Sqn Ldr) Sarthak Kumar, Siddhant Singh, Rizwan Malik, Flight Lieutenant (FLT LT) Aarshveer Singh Thakur have been awarded Vir Chakra.
The Indian Air Force has brought down at least six Pakistani aircraft in the action. Vir Chakra is a military bravery award presented to wartime heroes for their gallant actions on the battlefield. It is third in line after Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.
The national war memorial honours the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the armed conflicts of Independent India, including in 1999 Kargil war, 1961 war in Goa, and multiple other operations like Operation Pawan, and Operation Rakshak.
The monument, spread over 40 acres blends well with the aesthetics of the area, and was unveiled on February 25, 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)
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