75th Republic Day: Gallantry medals announced for 1,132 personnel
On the eve of the 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu announced the annual gallantry/service awards. A total of 1,132 personnel from the police, fire service, home guard and civil defense, and correctional service have been conferred the medals. 277 gallantry medals were announced, including 275 Medal for Gallantry and two President's Medal for Gallantry.
119 personnel deployed in LWE-hit areas to get gallantry awards
Out of the 277 personnel receiving gallantry awards, 119 were deployed in left-wing extremism-affected regions, 133 from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and 25 from other areas. Meanwhile, the two President's Medal for Gallantry are for personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF). According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, "16 gallantry/service medals have been rationalized and merged into the following four medals: President's Medal for Gallantry, Medal for Gallantry, President's Medal for Distinguished Service, and Medal for Meritorious Service."
President's Medals for Distinguished Service
Meanwhile, of 102 President's Medals for Distinguished Service, 94 have been awarded to police service, four each to fire service, and civil defense & home guard service. Out of 753 Medals for Meritorious Service, 27 each have been awarded to civil defense & home guard service and correctional service, 32 to fire service, and 667 to police service. Three Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) of the Delhi Police Special Cell will also be honored with the President's Medal.
What are gallantry awards?
The Indian government has instituted gallantry awards to honor the acts of sacrifice and bravery of civilians, officers or personnel of the armed forces, and other lawfully constituted forces. These awards are announced two times a year: On Republic Day (January 26) and on Independence Day (August 15).
First 3 gallantry awards instituted in 1950
After India's independence, the Indian government instituted the first three gallantry awards, namely Maha Vir Chakra, Param Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra, on January 26, 1950. The Center instituted three more gallantry awards, Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II, and Ashoka Chakra Class-III, on January 4, 1952. Later, these awards were renamed in January 1967 to Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
