Feature by Om Kakkad
The Gallantry awards are to honor the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces and civilians. These awards are gives two times in a year, on Republic Day and Independence Day. They are conferred by the President of India, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and are hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Gallantry awards are classified into two categories –
- In conflict zone
- At peace time
Bravery in War
The awards in the first category are
- The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.
- The Maha Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air.
- The Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air.
Awards for bravery during peace time
The awards in the second category are
- The Ashoka Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some act of daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
- The Kirti Chakra is awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
- The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
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