Independence Day 2024: List of Gallantry Awards & Recognitions Given on 15th August

On August 15, 2024, India’s 78th Independence Day, the Indian government announced several prestigious gallantry medals and commendations for members of the armed forces, police and other departments. Here is a summary of the major awards:

Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces Gallantry Medal

  • The President approved 103 gallantry medals, including nine posthumously, to personnel of the armed forces and central armed police forces.

Police Medal of Bravery

  • A total of 1,037 police medals were awarded, including 213 Police Medals for Gallantry, 94 Presidential Medals for Distinguished Police Officers and 729 Police Medals for Meritorious Service.
  • A total of 213 gallantry medals were awarded, of which 208 went to police personnel, of which the Jammu and Kashmir Police received 31, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra Police received 17 each, Chhattisgarh Police received 15, Madhya Pradesh Police received 12 and Jharkhand, Punjab and Telangana Police received seven each.
  • In 2022, Telangana Police Commissioner Chaduvu Yadaiah was awarded the Presidential Medal for Gallantry after he managed to nab two chain-robbing criminals despite being stabbed.

Naval Valor Medal

  • Several Indian Navy personnel were awarded medals for gallantry, including Captain Brijesh Nambiar, Captain Rajababu Sharma and Commander Anoop Kumar.

The Gallantry Medal recognises the recipients for exceptional courage, devotion and sacrifice in the line of duty. These honours are a testament to the courage and devotion shown by the Indian Armed Forces, Police and other security personnel in protecting the nation and its citizens.

Recipient of Kirti Chakra

On Independence Day 2024, the Indian government announced several gallantry medals, including the prestigious Kirti Chakra medal. This year’s Kirti Chakra medal recipients are:

  1. Colonel Manpreet Singh (posthumously) – decorated for leading the counter-terrorism operations in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, where he died.
  2. Rifleman Ravi Kumar (deceased) – Commended for his gallantry in the same action as Col Singh.
  3. Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu – for exceptional courage during military operations.
  4. Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzzammil Bhat (late) was also honoured for his gallantry during the anti-terrorist operation in Anantnag, in which he died.

This year, four Kirti Chakras were awarded, three of which were posthumously. This year’s awards included 18 Shaurya Chakras, among other honours, reflecting the bravery and dedication of uniformed personnel in the line of duty.

The gallantry medals announced on the occasion of India’s 78th Independence Day are a powerful tribute to the bravery and dedication of the personnel of the Indian Armed Forces, Police and Navy. These honours not only recognise the extraordinary courage of the individuals but also highlight the contribution these heroes have made in keeping India safe.

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