By IANS,
New Delhi : President Pratibha Patil has approved 428 gallantry and other defence decorations, including nine posthumous Ashok Chakras and 13 Kirti Chakras to armed forces personnel and others on the occasion of the country’s 60th Republic Day, it was announced Sunday.
Patil will Monday present 11 Ashok Chakras, the highest gallantry award in peacetime, including two announced on Aug 15, 2008 for Assistant Commandant Pramod Kumar Satapathy of the Orissa Armed Police (posthumous), and R.P. Diengdoh of the Meghalaya Police (posthumous) at Rajpath before the start of the Republic Day parade.
Posthumous Ashok Chakras will also be conferred on Col. Jojan Thomas and Havildar Bahadur Singh Bohra of the Indian Army; National Security Guard (NSG) commandoes Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havildar Gajender Singh; Maharashtra Police officials Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar and Tukaram Gopal Ombale; and Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, a defence ministry statement Sunday said.
The President has also approved the award of 13 Kirti Chakras, 30 Shaurya Chakras, 91 Sena Medals (Gallantry), one Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), four Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), one Bar to Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, two Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, one Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 50 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, five Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals, 122 Vishisht Seva Medals, one Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 40 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty) and 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty).