Republic Day: President Kovind approves PVSM for Neeraj Chopra, 384 Gallantry Awards

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday approved 384 gallantry awards and other military decorations, including 12 Shaurya Chakras, for the security forces personnel who displayed exceptional courage during the operation, the government said in a statement.

Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Subedar Neeraj Chopra – the first Indian to win gold in track and field event at the Olympics – 4 Rajputana Rifles will be awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), which is usually awarded to three- Distinguished Service. Star officer for

Officials aware of the matter said that the President will posthumously award Ashok Chakra to Assistant Sub-Inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police Babu Ram at the Republic Day parade on Wednesday. The Ashok Chakra is the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

On August 29, 2020, Babu Ram killed three terrorists during an operation in Srinagar.

The President approved the top gallantry award on the eve of Independence Day 2021 for Babu Ram, who was from the JKP’s Special Operations Group.

Three terrorists opened fire on CRPF/police post in Srinagar and took shelter in nearby Pantha-Chokh area. Security forces cordoned off the area and asked the terrorists to surrender. However, the terrorists opened fire on the police party. In the ensuing encounter, the ASI not only saved his associate, but also killed all three terrorists in retaliation, before he was injured by bullets.

Shaurya Chakra is India’s third highest peacetime gallantry award. The award will be given posthumously to nine personnel.

Shaurya Chakra awardees include Naib Subedar Sreejit M (Posthumous), Havildar Anil Kumar Tomar (Posthumous), Havaldar Kashirai Bammanalli (Posthumous), Havaldar Pinku Kumar (Posthumous), Sepoy Maruprolu Jaswant Kumar Reddy (Posthumous), Rifleman Rakesh Sharma, CRPF Deputy. Commandant Dilip Malik, CRPF Assistant Commandant Anirudh Pratap Singh, CRPF Head Constable Ajit Singh (Posthumous), CRPF Constable Vikas Kumar (Posthumous), CRPF Constable Pooranand (Posthumous) and CRPF Head Constable Kuldeep Kumar Urawan (Posthumous).

The 384 awards sanctioned by the President on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day include 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Yudh Seva Medals, thrice Vishisht Seva Medals, 122 Vishisht Seva Medals. Three times for Sena Medals (Gallantry), 81 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 40 Sena Medals (Dedication to Duty), eight Nau Sena Medals (Dedication to Duty), and 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Dedication to Duty) Medal (For devotional duty).

On August 7 last year, Chopra became the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field in Tokyo. Chopra covered a distance of 87.58 meters with a javelin throw at the National Stadium in Tokyo to achieve the feat in her first Games. The 24-year-old shooter was the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics. Bindra’s gold came to Beijing in 2008.

In Tokyo, Chopra qualified for the final with her maiden effort of 86.65m. The Haryana athlete was indomitable on the last day. In only his second attempt (87.58 m), he broke away from a field that included Germany’s favorite Johannes Wetter, the 2017 world champion, who placed a season-best 97.76 m. Jakob Vdlejch of Czech Republic won the silver medal with a throw of 86.67m.

Chopra, the 2016 world junior champion, was also honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the country’s highest sporting honour, following his golden feat last year.

Chopra, who is training in the United States, said he is happy to be nominated for the awards. “I am very happy to know about PVSM and Padma Shri. I am grateful for everyone’s well wishes and support. I have just arrived at the center here for my morning training session. I will continue my hard work and try to do well for my country. I congratulate all the award winners.