277 Gallantry Awards Unveiled Ahead of Republic Day

The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, sanctioned 277 gallantry awards on the eve of the 75th Republic Day.

_{Representative photo of President Droupadi Murmu presenting Ati Vishisht Seva Medal during the Defence Investiture Ceremony, 2023 (PC:PTI)}

Award Recipients:

> 119 soldiers from left-wing militancy affected areas, 133 soldiers from Jammu and Kashmir state and 25 soldiers from other areas are receiving most of the 277 gallantry awards.

> 72 members of Jammu and Kashmir Police, 18 members of Maharashtra, 26 members of Chhattisgarh, 23 members of Jharkhand, 15 members of Odisha, 8 members of Delhi, 65 members of CRPF, 21 members of SSB and the rest of Other States /Union Territories and CAPFs have received gallantry medal 277 of 275.

> Award recipients included BSF personnel who received the Police Medal of Gallantry (PMG) for distinguished service to peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo as MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilization Mission) personnel in Moroccan Rapid Deployment Part ,of the Battalion (MORRDB) ) camp in Butembo. They are members of the 15th Congolese Battalion of the BSF.

photo: types of Gallantry awards

After independence, on January 26, 1950, the Government of India instituted the first three bravery awards namely Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra and Veera Chakra. Ashoka Chakra Class-I, II and III are three new awards for bravery, instituted by the Government of India on 4 February 1952. The names of these awards were changed to Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Ashoka Chakra, in January 1967 respectively.

What are the Gallantry Awards?

The prestigious Gallantry Award is conferred by the Government of India in recognition of the bravery and courage displayed by members of the Armed Forces. This honor is given to people who have shown extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of adversity as a mark of appreciation. These awards are highly valued and respected by the military. These gallantry awards are announced twice a year on Republic Day and Independence Day.

PC: PTI