INDIA. Mumbai: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari felicitated the serving and retired gallantry award winners of the Indian Navy at a function organized by the Western Naval Command as part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Indian Independence celebrations) in Mumbai on Wednesday.
In a function held at the Mulla Auditorium in South Mumbai, 38 awardees were felicitated. Maharashtra Governor was the Chief Guest at the ceremony. He was received by Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, an Indian Navy statement said.
The recipients included Three Vir Chakra, five Shaurya Chakra, and 30 Nau Sena Medal (Gallantry) awardees. They comprised 13 retired officers and eight retired sailors. Admiral VS Shekhawat, Vir Chakra, was also felicitated for his stellar role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Other awardees were recognized for their heroic acts during various operations, including the 1971 War, Op Pawan, Op Rakshak, counter-insurgency missions, anti-piracy and rescue at sea, and outstanding achievements in various expeditions.
NCC
countries | Photo credit: Defence PRO
In another development, the Cadets of the Maharashtra NCC Directorate and the cadets from other directorates across the country interacted with military cadets of Brazil and 14 other countries at Youth Exchange Program in New Delhi on Thursday.
Expedition to search for lost climbers
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy launched an expedition to recover the climbers lost in the Himalayas during an expedition to Mount Trishul in September 2021, on Wednesday.
The expedition to Mount Trishul was organized as part of the “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” (Golden Jubilee of India’s victory over Pakistan). During the summit attempt, the lead team of five naval personnel, Lt Cdr Rajanikant Yadav, Lt Cdr Yogesh Tiwari, Lt Cdr Anant Kukreti, Lt Cdr Shashank Tewari, Hariom MCPO II (GW), and Sherpa Dupka Tshering, were killed by a sudden and unexpected avalanche.
While the bodies of four climbers were recovered, two climbers, a naval officer, and the sherpa remained unaccounted for. The search for them had to be called off after 13 days due to the onset of bad weather and winter, which made the endeavour dangerous.
The expedition has now been launched in a true testament to the Service’s ethos, to recover the climbers who were lost in the mountain, reiterating that the Indian Navy does not leave any of its own behinds, according to the statement.
On this solemn occasion, a Trishul Memorial was established in memory of the fallen heroes. It will serve as an inspiration to future generations of Indian Navy adventurers. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and other senior officers paid tribute and homage to the fallen personnel by lighting candles at the Memorial.
During the event, family members of the Bravehearts were also honored. In addition, the family of the missing sherpa was given financial assistance as a form of consolation.
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