TYPES OF GALLANTRY AWARDS

During the year 1998 I saw this episode of Param Vir Chakra on DD National channel and always wanted to share the stories of there bravery with my friends. So I will be sharing these Stories and award given to them for their bravery with you. But before before telling the stories let us know the awards given to the forces for the the war and in peace time.

There are total nine gallantry awards which can be awarded to Indian armed forces. These awards are classified in two categories. These are as follows:

1.     Gallantry in the Face of Enemy (i.e. Wartime gallantry awards)

o    Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

o    Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

o    Vir Chakra

o    Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal

o    Mention in Dispatches

o    Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card

2.     Gallantry Other than in the Face of Enemy (Peacetime gallantry awards)

• Ashok Chakra
• Kirti Chakra
• Shaurya Chakra

Last three Gallantry in the Face of Enemy (i.e. Wartime gallantry awards) awards can also be awarded in peacetime. Gallantry Other than in the Face of Enemy (Peacetime gallantry awards) awards can also be awarded to civilians for there valour.

Introduction of gallantry awards:

Name of Award	Brief Description	Design
Param vir Chakra	The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. The medal has been awarded 21 times, 14 of which were posthumous awards. The medal was designed by Savitri Khanolkar who was married to an Indian Army officer, Vikram Khanolkar of the Sikh Regiment
Mahavir Chara	The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) (literally great warrior medal) is the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. More than 155 acts of bravery and selfless courage have been recognized since the inception of the medal.
Vir Chakra	Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carries with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation.
Sena Medal	The Sena Medal is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army, Airforce or Navy."
Nau Sena Medal
Vayu Sena Medal
Mentioned in Dispatches	A member of the armed forces mentioned in dispatches (or despatches, MiD) is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described his or her gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.
Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card	All three branches of the military issue Commendation Cards, which are badges awarded for "individual acts of gallantry or distinguished service or devotion to duty performed either in operation or non-operational areas which are not of a sufficiently high order to qualify for a higher gallantry award or for which the higher award is inappropriate. The award will be for a specific act of bravery or distinguished service or special service. The award will not be made posthumously."
Ashok Chakra	The Ashoka Chakra (alternative spelling: Ashok Chakra) is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel.
Kirti Chakra	The Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra.
Shaury Chakra	The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra. It is generally awarded for Counter-Insurgency operations and actions against the enemy during peace-time.

Next time I will be sharing about Paramvir Chkra, Mahavir Chakra and Vir Chakra in Detail. Let me know in comment section how did you like the blog, any suggestion for improvement etc.