Gallantry awards: Honouring the Bravehearts of nation
As India celebrates the 80th Independence Day, a look at the major gallantry awards, when they were instituted and more about how the nation honours its Bravehearts.
On the eve of India's 80th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu bestowed 78 gallantry awards, including nine Kirti Chakras and 19 Shaurya Chakras, to recognise exceptional acts of courage or distinguished service by defence personnel. These awards, announced twice annually during Republic Day and Independence Day, include Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, honouring the bravest of the brave in both wartime and peacetime.
The highest wartime gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra, was first bestowed upon Major Somnath Sharma in 1947. Notably, in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Indian Air Force received the highest number of Maha Vir Chakra awards - eleven. This year's awards include nine Kirti Chakras, recognising servicemen from the Central Armed Police Forces and various other forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs, posthumously.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
