Independence Day Gallantry Awards 2024

• 17 Aug 2024

For Prelims: President of India, Gallantry awards, Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Sahayata, President’s Medal for Gallantry

For Mains: Various Security Forces & Agencies & Their Mandate, 'Viksit Bharat' Vision and India's Development Goals

Source: PIB

Why in News?

As India celebrates its 78^th Independence Day, President of India has conferred prestigious gallantry awards on Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel.

• Additionally, 1,037 police medals were awarded to personnel from Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Services for exceptional bravery and service.
• The Prime Minister has also unveiled ambitious goals to shape India's future, highlighting the nation’s commitment to its security forces and development.

Note: 

• India's Independence Day theme for the year 2024 is 'Viksit Bharat', symbolising the vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

What are the Gallantry Awards Awarded on the 78th Independence Day?

• Kirti Chakra: Four Kirti Chakras including three posthumous were awarded.
  • The Kirti Chakra award for gallantry was first instituted in 1952 as Ashoka Chakra class -II, and was redesignated as Kirti Chakra in  1967. 
    • The medal is circular in shape, made of standard silver. The obverse features an embossed replica of the Ashoka Chakra surrounded by a lotus wreath. 
    • The ribbon is green, divided into three equal parts by two orange vertical lines. 
    • The medal is awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy and may be awarded posthumously. 
• Shaurya Chakra: 18 Shaurya Chakras including four posthumous were awarded.
  • The Shaurya Chakra Instituted in 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class-III and renamed in  1967 as Shaurya Chakra and awarded for gallantry, otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
    • Circular in shape and of bronze. On the obverse of the medal shall have embossed a replica of Ashoka Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath. 
    • Green colour ribbon divided into four equal parts by three vertical lines. 
    • If any recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of gallantry as makes him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry will be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended. 
      • For every Bar awarded, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone. 
  • The Chakra is awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded posthumously. 
• Sena Medal (Gallantry): One Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry) and 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry) including two posthumous were awarded.

  • The Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry) is an award given to personnel of the Indian Army who have already received the Sena Medal (Gallantry) and have performed subsequent acts of bravery or exceptional service.

• Nao Sena Medals: 11 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) were awarded.
  • Nau Sena Medal is a gallantry award for Indian Navy personnel, awarded for exceptional devotion to duty or courage.
• Vayu Sena Medals: 6 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) were awarded.
  • Vayu Sena Medal instituted in 1960 to recognise exceptional devotion to duty or acts of courage by Air Force personnel. 
  • The award is given for individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage that have special significance for the Air Force. VM (Gallantry) is awarded for acts of courage, and VM (Devotion to Duty) is awarded for exceptional devotion to duty. 
    • A bar is given for each subsequent award, and the award may be made posthumously.
• Mention-in-Despatches: The President has also approved 39 Mention-in-Despatches, including to Army Dog Kent (posthumous) for their significant contributions in different military operations. 
  • The operations include Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Sahayata, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid and Operation Katchal.
    • Operation Rakshak is an ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operation conducted by the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir. It began in June 1990 during the height of insurgency in the region.
    • Operation Snow Leopard was launched by the Indian Army in response to the standoff with Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. 
      • The operation began in 2020 after China failed to restore the status quo ante in the region.
    • Operation Sahayata is an Indian operation that provides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) support.
    • Operation Orchid was a counter-insurgency operation conducted by the Indian Army in the Naga Hills and Tuensang area of Nagaland. 
    • Operation Hifazat is a counter-insurgency operation conducted by the Indian Army in the Nagaland-Manipur-Arunachal Pradesh area.
  • The Mention-in-Despatches is awarded for distinguished and meritorious service in operational areas and acts of gallantry which are not of a sufficiently high order to warrant the grant of gallantry awards. 
    • All Army, Navy and Air Force personnel and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces, members of the Nursing services and civilians working under or with the Armed forces are eligible. 
  • Names may be included posthumously and a person's name may be mentioned in more than one despatch. A certificate is issued to each individual where their name is mentioned in a despatch.

What are the Different Types of Police Medals Awarded?

• President’s Medal for Gallantry (PMG): The highest police decoration for bravery, awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in saving life and property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals.
  • 1 PMG awarded to Shri Chaduvu Yadaiah, Head Constable of Telangana Police, for his extraordinary bravery during a violent confrontation with criminals involved in chain-snatching and arms dealing.
• Medal for Gallantry (GM): 213 GMs awarded for acts of gallantry, with categories including decorations for firefighters and civil defence personnel.
• President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM): 94 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) awarded for exceptional and distinguished service in police work.
• Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM): 729 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) were awarded for valuable service characterized by resourcefulness and devotion to duty.

What are the Ambitious Goals Highlighted by the PM on India's 78th Independence Day?

• Ease of Living: Enhance urban quality of life through improved infrastructure and services.
• Revival of Nalanda Spirit:  The PM sought to revive the ancient Nalanda University spirit, positioning India as a global education hub by promoting higher learning and research, building on the inauguration of Nalanda University in 2024.
• Semiconductor Production: Reduce import dependency and lead in semiconductor manufacturing.
• Skill India: Referring to Budget 2024, the PM highlighted landmark initiatives to train India's youth and make it the skill capital of the world.
• Industrial Manufacturing: Establish India as a major global manufacturing hub.
• Design in India: Create products for both domestic and international markets.
• Green Jobs and Hydrogen: Reiterated India's commitment to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen and creating sustainable jobs in environmental conservation and renewable energy.
• Climate Change Targets: Reiterated India's ambitious goal of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, noting that India has been the only country among the G20 nations to meet its Paris Accord goals.
• Youth in Politics: Bring 100,000 new youth into politics to fight nepotism and casteism.

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. Analyze the significance of gallantry awards. How do these awards reflect India's commitment to honouring exceptional bravery? 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: (2021)

1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.

Which of the above statements are not correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)